15 Apr 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 14 April 2020

Tuesday 14 April

Tomorrow (Wednesday) sees the next VODG member Keeping in touch (KIT) call take place. We will hear from colleagues across the membership who will discuss issues of significance from their perspectives. To aid discussions please come prepared to share issues and insights. The meeting will now run until 12.30pm to allow us to enough time to explore all agenda items. The agenda is as follows:

Welcome and introductions – Rhidian Hughes (VODG)
VODG update – Rhidian Hughes (VODG)
Maintaining our perspective on values and rights – Jonathan Senker (VoiceAbility)
Key issues a. Operations, quality and safety – Emma Killick (MacIntyre) b. Supplies and provisions – Misha Fontenot (Walsingham Support) c. Workforce and HR – Gail Christey (St Elizabeth’s) d. Finance and funding – Debbie Bankole-Williams (Choice Support) e. Communications – Lizzie Courtney (Camphill Village Trust)
Intelligence, information exchange and any other business – Rhidian Hughes (VODG)

Registration is open until 9am on Wednesday. Please see below for the link to register.

Following on from last week's KIT call on the government's Job Retention Scheme, our colleagues at Trowers & Hamlins have advised that the relevant government guidance has now been updated. Please see below for this updated information. On a related note, Chancellor Rishi Sunak today advised during the government's daily press briefing that the furlough scheme is on course to be ready for applications from 20 April.

We look forward to welcoming many of you to tomorrow's call.

Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages

Ahead of the Secretary of State’s Friday announcement focused on PPE, we managed a call with the director general. We know that DHSC is working to improve supply in from China, as well as building capacity to produce within this country. The Clipper platform has been initially focused on NHS supplies but a small pilot should now be underway to test the supply route with social care providers. DHSC is saying that wholesalers have existing stocks, but we know from what you are feeding into us, that this is not always the case. Expectations are being managed, as Clipper is likely to take "a couple of weeks" so workarounds will need to be in place for some time to come. This includes local resilience forums.
Indemnity of providers remains on the agenda and last week we continued to push for an indemnity solution.
As part of our involvement with the Care Provider Alliance, we have been actively engaging with senior ministers and colleagues from the government and wider sector agencies and organisations. To date, letters have been sent to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, the Minister for Care Helen Whately, and to all 650 MPs across the country. Issues addressed include concerns regarding local government's guidance on funding arrangements for social care, PPE supplies, testing for people discharged from hospital, and taking urgent action to support the sector.
All feedback, please email [email protected]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): news

Older people being 'airbrushed' out of virus figures

Charities voice concern for care home residents and call for daily updates on virus deaths in the system.

£14billion for NHS and public services

Treasury confirms £14bn from Coronavirus emergency response fund will go towards public services.

505 social care workers have had coronavirus tests

Government reports 47,784 healthcare workers and their families tested and 505 care home staff tested.

Former Olympics director leads work to protect clinically vulnerable people

Chris Townsend OBE appointed to lead the cross government shielding programme in England.

Coronavirus rules relaxed for people with autism and learning disabilities

Policy updated after lawyers challenge ‘discriminatory’ lockdown measures.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Personal protective equipment hub

New hub containing Government’s guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) personal protective equipment to help people understand what PPE they need.

Stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings

Government guidance on infection prevention and control for step down in hospital or discharge to home or residential settings.

Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in care homes

British Geriatrics Society guidance to help care home staff and NHS staff who work with them to support residents through pandemic.

Claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Updated guidance for employers on the coronavirus (COVID-19) Job Retention Scheme.

Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Check eligibility, and how much your employer can claim if they put you on temporary leave.

Using holiday

ACAS guidance on using holiday during the pandemic, including carrying over holiday and using holiday for a temporary workplace closure.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response

COVID-19, Mental Capacity Act, and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards – summary and commentary

Alex Ruck Keene of 39 Essex Chambers explores DHSC's emergency guidance around the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Nursing and Midwifery Council statement on PPE

NMC clarifies the key points that nursing and midwifery professionals should take into account when applying the Code in practice and making considered professional judgments.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

Resources for deaf and disabled people's organisations

Range of advice for organisations providing advice and guidance to individuals during coronavirus crisis.

Letter from Prime Minister - Easy Read

Easy read version of PM's letter explaining what the government is doing about Coronavirus.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings

VODG member Keeping in touch meeting | 15 April | 11.00 - 12.30

The next virtual Coronavirus (COVID-19) KIT meeting will offer another opportunity for members to share issues and ideas. Register here.

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