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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Brief
20 Apr 2020

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

Sunday 19 April

Today's brief includes a range of notable information and updates from across the sector, including communications from CQC on testing for the social care workforce and a joint letter for CQC register providers on data collection during the pandemic. Also included are links to PPE suppliers with an interest in social care. Please also make note of the updates in the 'Key messages' section.
We continue to work across the sector to co-ordinate responses, questions and intelligence. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] with any issues and / or visit the COVID-19 Response Hubs to share insights with colleagues from across the VODG membership.
Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages

  • An additional £1.6bn to support councils has been announced.
  • New PPE guidance on working in care homes published.
  • The Care Provider Alliance, Care Quality Commission, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement have written a joint letter to all registered adult social care providers about data collection. Please see below.
  • Points of note from meetings VODG has been involved in this last week include: * The issue of testing for non-drivers has been raised in our provider organisations' call with LGA, ADASS and CQC. VODG has further followed up with CQC asking for alternative options to be provided as a matter of urgency * DHSC, CQC, and TLAP are exploring how to monitor use of Care Act easements to build an understanding of how and where they are being used. * DHSC, PHE, CQC, and ONS are working to together on how best to collate and communicate the national monitoring of care home death numbers.
  • Included below in the 'Resources' section are links to two online resources to PPE suppliers.
  • All feedback, please email [email protected]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): news

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick on COVID-19 response
The Communities Secretary on the government’s response to COVID-19 and additional funding for local government:
"I am providing an additional £1.6 billion of new funding to support councils with the pressures they face as they respond to COVID-19. This funding takes the total amount given to councils to help them through the pandemic to over £3.2 billion. We are backing councils to ensure vital services such as adult social care, children’s services, support for vulnerable people and waste collection continue despite the increased pressures."
Furlough scheme extended until end of June
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended to reflect continuing social distancing measures.
COVID-19 drug trial to begins in UK
Scientists involved in Recovery trial, with over 5,000 test subjects, hope for answers within weeks.
Testing extended for more frontline workers
Access to testing for those with symptoms will be extended across England.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): increased risk of fraud and cybercrime against charities
Government alert provides advice for charities on coronavirus (COVID-19) related fraud and cybercrime.
Care home virus deaths 'far higher' than figures
A new report suggests deaths in residential care linked to Covid-19 could have doubled over a month.
NMC temporary register reaches more than 10,000
10,823 people have now joined the Nursing and Midwifery Councils' temporary register
COVID-19 mental health campaign launches
Public Health England's Every Mind Matters platform has launched new advice focused on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes
Guidance for those working in care homes providing information on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19.
Government guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
Document has been edited to improve clarity.
Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities
Guides for families and professionals supporting autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Use of PPE delivered to Local Resilience Forums
Information on prioritisation of PPE for Local Resilience Forums.
Adult social care: how we expect the sector to interpret guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
DHSC interpretation of the guidance on the Scheme.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response

CQC update on testing for adult social care staff 
CQC has shared the following update on testing for adult social care staff:
"By the end of this week, we will have contacted all 30,000 adult social care providers that are registered with us to offer tests if they are not already accessing them via other local arrangements. The invite to test email is being sent to registered managers, and they are asked to refer staff members who are self-isolating to access a test at the nearest test site. As of today [Friday, 17 April], test locations are available in the following sites, and more are being added by the day.   •           Birmingham •           Chessington •           Gateshead •           Gatwick Airport •           Greenwich •           Leeds •           Manchester •           Smethwick, Birmingham •           Nottingham •           Plymouth •           Preston •           Sheffield •           Stansted Airport •           Twickenham  •           Warrington •           Wembley •           Worcester Live updates are being made to the booking form, so as new test sites are added these are being made available to providers. We are now working on a pilot of home testing, which will start in the adult social care sector. Plans are being finalised, but this is progressing at pace and we will keep you updated. We are also supporting the expansion of testing to all key workers. Apart from in the NHS, where services are regulated by us we are managing the process in a similar way to that in ASC. Where services are not regulated by us e.g. the police, we are providing the technology and the process is being managed by the government’s testing service."
Joint letter on data collection to all registered adult social care providers
Joint letter from Care Provider Alliance, Care Quality Commission, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement, specifically asking:
  • Residential and nursing homes to complete only the NHS Capacity Tracker as set out in Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
  • Homecare providers to complete CQC’s ‘Update CQC on the impact of Covid’ online form (from Monday 13 April). This will be rolled out to Shared Lives services, Extra Care and Supporting Living services soon and we will be in contact with them directly when the service is available to them
  • The small number of providers of both homecare and residential and/or nursing homes to complete both data collections.
Skills for Care update including deployment of registered nurses in social care
Round of up of latest updates, news and guidance from Skills for Care. Includes the following note about the deployment of registered nurses in social care: "We’re currently working very closely with the Department for Health and Social Care, the Care Providers Alliance, NHS England and other partners so that we can provide and co-ordinate the primary point of contact for the deployment of nurses in social care through the same regional system being used for the NHS. Guidance and further information, including the use of the Capacity Tracker to highlight workforce pressures are being developed as we speak and the information that employers/providers supply will be used to inform the decisions about deployment currently being made by the seven regional hubs. Our aim is to ensure that social care is included in this decision making process and that social care staffing needs are met in the same way as the NHS. Things are moving very quickly so please make sure you check our nurse deployment webpage* regularly for the most up to date information.
*please note that this link will work when page is live. 
Contingency planning and financial implications
NVCO has added three additional sections to its existing coronavirus advice:
  • Charity funding from the government: The very latest information on the £750 million promised by the chancellor and how it will be allocated.
  • Other funding opportunities for charities: A list of the key national and regional funds open for applications.
  • Coronavirus job retention scheme (furloughing): What it is, how it works, who is eligible.
Voluntary sector and volunteering engagement
Volunteering Matters is seeking help on the following:
If you have volunteers who are not doing their usual roles and are able to be considered as part of a volunteering supply picture, please complete this form.
Volunteering Matters is also seeking to understand where there are increased demands on the sector where volunteering support is required. Please click through for more information on this work.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

Care Home Shopping
Resource comparing suppliers of care home equipment, including PPE.
PPE Exchange
Resource bringing together users and suppliers of PPE.
Report a business behaving unfairly during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Government service to report a business you believe is behaving unfairly during the outbreak.
Government guidance on PPE for the social care sector
DHSC communication outlining the current approach to guidance and supply routes available to the social care sector.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme - FAQs from 17 April webinar
Summary of answers to FAQs from NHSE's webinar with learning disability and autism partners.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme - FAQs from 9 April webinar
Summary of answers to FAQs from NHSE's webinar with learning disability and autism partners.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings

VODG member Keeping in touch meeting | 29 April | 11.00 - 12.30
The next virtual Coronavirus (COVID-19) KIT meeting will offer another opportunity for members to share issues and ideas.
VODG member Keeping in touch call: focus on finance and funding | 22 April | 11.30 - 13.00
An opportunity for VODG member finance directors to discuss finance and funding issues.
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