Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 28 April 2020
Tuesday 28 April
Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages
- In a call today with Care Minister Helen Whately, we highlighted the findings of our recent data audit to reinforce the message that disabled people's services are at risk of being excluded from the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Ms Whately has requested we share our findings with her team and expressed the value of such data.
- The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England have issued a letter including further information on COVID-19 testing in social care. Please see below.
- All feedback, please email [email protected]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): news
Families of frontline health and care workers will benefit from new life assurance scheme
Scheme will cover employees of publicly funded care homes, home care, directly employed carers, personal assistants and frontline child and family social workers.
Five councils use 'easements' created by Coronavirus Act
'Easements' to the Care Act 2014 remove the legal duty to meet certain care needs unless it would breach human rights to do so.
Discounted Uber rides for care providers
Launch of Uber Medic will provide all care providers access to a 25% discount on their staff’s trips for 12 weeks.
CQC data in ONS deaths shows impact of COVID-19
Information provided to CQC by care homes now forms part of the ONS' weekly reporting on deaths.
Care home coronavirus deaths rising rapidly
Outbreaks in care homes claiming 2,000 lives a week, but hospital fatalities are going down.
Clarity needed on distribution of emergency funding
County Councils Network urges government to provide clarity on the distribution of emergency funding.
Disabled people left off coronavirus vulnerable list tell of struggles
Readers share their experiences as calls grow for food scheme to be expanded.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
How to work safely in domiciliary care
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of PPE.
Further information on COVID-19 testing in social care
Letter issued today by DHSC and PHE with further information on COVID-19 testing in social care.
Reuse of medicines in a care home or hospice
Government guidance on how to run a safe medicines reuse scheme in care homes.
How to work safely in care homes
Updated guidance for those working in care homes.
New guidance for social landlords on essential moves
Councils and housing associations should continue to support vulnerable people to move home.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response
‘Stop discriminating against millions of disabled people’
Disability Benefits Consortium demands increase to all out-of-work benefits – not just Universal Credit.
Impact of COVID-19 on disability services in Europe
EASPD’s snapshot report provides a general assessment of the situation of disability services across Europe during April 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings
National Mental Capacity Forum | COVID-19, DoLS, and Best Interests (slide deck)
Full slide pack from the second of three online meetings to discuss the challenges in using of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and best-interest decision-making in the context of the pandemic.
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.
39 Essex Chambers | COVID-19: Issues for care homes/care providers | 30 April | 15.30
Webinar will cover COVID-19 guidance, litigation risks and damages claims post-COVID-19 and DOLS in the time of COVID-19.
