Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 30 March 2020

VODG is tomorrow (Tuesday) participating in the next fortnightly teleconference with the Care Minister, Helen Whately MP, to discuss Coronavirus (COVID-19). Such meetings present us with an opportunity to hear about the developments coming out the Department of Health and Social Care (and subsequently disseminate information) and to also put forward any concerns, queries, or comments from the sector. While we may draw upon some of the themes that have arisen during our Keeping in touch calls, should you have any particular areas of concern, please email [email protected].

The VODG member Keeping in touch calls will continue, fortnightly, subject to sufficient demand. Alongside this call, we are increasing the frequency of focused sessions on specific topics. The first of these, taking place this Wednesday will be with Marr Procurement on the supply of medical consumables, chemicals and PPE in the context of COVID-19 (see below to register). We are also coordinating a session on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and 'furloughing' and will update you with more details in due course. We also welcome suggestions on any other topics that will enhance discussions taking place in the COVID-19 Response Hubs. Please email these to [email protected]

• COVID-19 rapid guidelines We are working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop rapid guidelines on topics relevant to the management of COVID-19. These will be published weekly and will focus on a range of clinical settings. In addition, we are producing rapid evidence reviews on medicines used to manage COVID-19 and its symptoms. All of our COVID-19 guidelines and evidence reviews will be published on the NICE website. Enquiries about this work should be sent to [email protected]
• Matt Hancock has also authorised the Department of Health and Social Care and its arm's-length bodies to continue to authorise and spend money on urgent coronavirus issues, even when that spending is in excess of departmental expenditure limits. See below for letter.
• NICE has written to stakeholders advising that they are working with NHSI to develop rapid guidelines on topics relevant to the management of COVID-19.
• There are a number of upcoming virtual meetings that may be of interest. Please see below for more details.
• All feedback, please email [email protected]

In an email to stakeholders, NICE issued the following advisory:

COVID-19 rapid guidelines "We are working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop rapid guidelines on topics relevant to the management of COVID-19. These will be published weekly and will focus on a range of clinical settings.

"In addition, we are producing rapid evidence reviews on medicines used to manage COVID-19 and its symptoms. "All of our COVID-19 guidelines and evidence reviews will be published on the NICE website. Enquiries about this work should be sent to [email protected]"

From the office of the Chief Social Worker for Adults: "We understand the need for more regular communications from senior officials in the Adult Social Care sector, to support ongoing response planning and application of official guidance. "We will be setting up a weekly forum in which a particular topic will be spotlighted.

"The second forum will be held on Thursday from 12:30 – 1.30. The topic will be ‘Discharges into Care Homes and the Discharge Access Model’. The conversation will be led by Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust. Ros Roughton will chair the meeting. "Please can you submit any questions you would like addressed in Thursday’s session to [email protected] and [email protected] by 12.30pm on Wednesday 1 April.  [Please also email directly to register your place.]"