17 Mar 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief - 17 March 2020

Tuesday 17 March

The government has today announced an emergency Coronavirus Bill, to be introduced to parliament this week. This Bill will give ministers powers to take action to respond to the progress of the coronavirus outbreak. Measures will include new laws to protect public health, increase NHS capacity, strengthen social care and support the public to take the right action at the right time. We have included the policy paper in full in the news section below, along with the latest guidance and sector responses from the day.

VODG participated in a call with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). DHSC are under pressure, as are all of you, but officials do want to hear about issues, risks and other queries. For us to represent your interest, please contact [email protected]. We will continue to brief you on their response to these questions and are pressing for wider coordination with other government departments that impact on VODG members' service provision.

We have our first virtual Coronavirus COVID-19 keeping in touch (KIT) meeting tomorrow Wednesday. We have some opening perspectives from chief executives and will structure our discussion around some key issues:

Operations, quality and safety
Supplies and provisions
Workforce and HR
Finance and funding
Communications

Full details, including log in details were sent to members earlier today (Tuesday).

The pandemic may require significant transformation. One option is to examine dispersed workforce support and an online meeting will take place at 10am this Thursday. Please save the date and time if you are interested in contributing. More details to follow in the next brief.

We mentioned a VODG website resource which is now online and this features a dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) response page. Please visit this here. All previous editions of this special brief, can be found here.

As ever, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] with any feedback, questions, or intelligence. In terms of VODG's own resilience it is important for all communications about COVID-19 to be channelled through one central email. Thank you in advance.

Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages

The Government has announced an Emergency Coronavirus Bill.
CQC has written to all social care providers to clarify information from its announcement yesterday on the suspension of inspections.
Specific guidance for (informal) carers is expected to be published this week.
All feedback, please email [email protected]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): news

Emergency bill to strengthen coronavirus (COVID-19) response

New laws will be introduced to protect public health, increase NHS capacity, strengthen social care and support the public to take the right action at the right time.

Extensions to annual returns available for charities

Charities in need of an extension to annual return deadline during pandemic can contact Charity Commission.

New government structures to coordinate coronavirus response

Prime Minister sets up new ministerial structures to coordinate response to pandemic.

Ofsted suspends all routine inspections

Chief Inspector to temporarily suspend routine inspections of schools, further education, early years and social care providers.

Regulator of Social Housing statement

Regulator's announcement includes pausing its programme of in-depth assessments of registered providers.

Face-to-face health assessments for benefits suspended

Claimants on disability benefits will no longer be required to attend face-to-face assessments.

Government tracker for Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases

Dashboard showing reported cases of coronavirus in the UK, including new cases.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Government guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people

Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older, disabled and and potentially vulnerable people.

Government guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Government guidance for employees, employers and businesses

Information on healthcare advice for employers and support for businesses.

Information Commissioner's Office guidance

Data protection and coronavirus: what you need to know.

NHSX information governance advice

Advice on tools that can be used to support individual care, share information and communicate during pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response

CQC to stop routine inspections

CQC advises that during the pandemic, its primary objective will be to support providers.

CQC clarification letter

CQC writes to providers to clarify its announcement on inspections.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

Ombudsman advises on its ability to deliver services, while protecting colleagues.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

Coronavirus Easy Read poster

Information on what coronavirus is and how to stay safe. From the Down's Syndrome Association.

Samaritans advice on what to do if worried about someone

Updated advice includes tips on how to reach out to people who may be self-isolating.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings

Coronavirus COVID-19 keeping in touch (KIT) meeting | Wednesday 18 March | 11.30-13.00

This first virtual Coronavirus COVID-19 KIT meeting will provide a forum for individuals to raise issues that may require further representation or action by VODG and will be an opportunity for members to share resources. Regsitration has now closed but please contact [email protected] to see if places remains available. VODG is lifting the usual one place per organisation rule in relation to this meeting.

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