18 Mar 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 18 March 2020

Wednesday 18 March

Today, the Department of Health and Social Care issued a statement on the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the care sector. Please see below to read this statement, as well as some of the key messages arising from government meetings on this matter. There isn't, however, any detail included in this letter about supplying supported living and unregulated care settings. We are making representations on this matter.

Thank you to everyone who took part in today's 'Keeping in touch' call. Members have told us that this was helpful and we are grateful for everyone's contributions. We will come back to you later this week on our next steps, and how we can create virtual workspaces for organisations to collaborate and share.

Finally, services and the workforce are now going through significant change. There is now an opportunity to identify how technology can support dispersed workforce solutions, redeployment and the use of families, carers and volunteers remotely. Tomorrow morning at 10am we are hosting a webinar with Carezapp who are offering a platform to enable remote support to happen. Please see below for further registration details.

Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs

Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages

The Department of Health and Social Care has today issued a statement in relation to PPE for the care sector - please see below. VODG will be following up on this statement with the department in relation to supply for supported living and non-regulated settings.
VODG is tomorrow hosting a webinar for members on technology enabled support. More details below.
All feedback, please email [email protected]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): news

Department of Health and Social Care statement on personal protective equipment (PPE) for the care sector

Further information arising from communications with DHSC, includes:

Face masks are being shipped. An update is to be shared with providers shortly advising of how they will receive them.
A hotline has been introduced for emergencies.
The first tranche of masks are free, further supplies are chargeable but money will be made available via the £1bn promised for social care.

VODG will be making representations to DHSC in response to this letter in relation to PPE supply for supported living and non-regulated settings.

Testing will increase to 25,000 per day

The government is to increase the number of people tested for COVID-19 to 25,000 hospital patients a day.

Government talking to charity leaders about support

The government has said it will look at what more can be done to support charities affected by COVID-19.

Care companies fear coronavirus bankruptcy

Care chiefs warn companies that support people at home are struggling.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Shared guidance to local authority commissioners from ADASS, LGA and CPA

Designed to summarise pressures on social care providers and put forward ways that commissioners can alleviate pressures.

Guidance from Shared Lives Plus

Range of guidance in response to pandemic for members and non members, including for shared lives schemes.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

FAQs for employers

Rebecca McGuirk and Nicola Ihnatowicz discuss some steps employers need to take to look after staff. From Trowers & Hamlins.

FAQs for employers

Guidance on employers duty of care to protect the health and safety of their employees. From Trowers & Hamlins.

Governance and execution of documents

Advice covering execution of deeds and holding board meetings. From Trowers & Hamlins.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings

Technology enabled support meeting | Thursday 19 March | 10.00 - 11.30

VODG is hosting a webinar from members with Carezapp around using their platform to provide support to people remotely. This virtual meeting will update on technology enabled support in the context of COVID-19. Registration is essential via this link. Please note, registration closes at 9.00 on Thursday 19 March. Joining instructions will be sent thereafter. This meeting will be hosted on Zoom platform. (Colleagues attending are invited to ensure they have access to the platform ahead of time.) *This meeting will include a proposal for free of charge and reduced cost emergency contingency support for VODG members.

Return to listing