Care Sector
Welcome to our new and improved bulletin, we have now gone fortnightly. Following your feedback, we have altered the format.
If you have any further comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Here you will find all the latest news, information and events happening across the care sector.
This week: 15th November 2021
1. News and Updates
Updated NHSmail Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance on Entering Vacancies in Capacity Tracker
Free to attend North West Palliative and End of Life Care Webinars 16 - 19 November 2021
NW Coast Clinical Networks PEoLC webinars
Care Home Vaccination and Testing Poster
From 11 November 2021 care homes must only allow individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or exempt) entry inside of a care home. This requirement will apply to those visiting a care home in a professional capacity unless exempt.
The registered person (or those acting on behalf of the registered person) at the care home needs to satisfy themselves of the identity of the person entering the care home and their proof of vaccination.
The poster below can be used to display in the entrance of your care home to remind Visiting Professionals on the evidence required.
Care Home Vaccination and Testing Poster
UK Commission on Bereavement - Call for Evidence
The UK Commission on Bereavement is an independent commission set up to review the experiences of, and support available for, people affected by bereavement, and to make recommendations to key decision-makers. The commission is independent of government and supported by a steering group of charity partners.
The Commission is due to report early next year, and it is anticipated that this will include recommendations across government.
To help inform its ongoing work, the Commission has launched a call for evidence for both individuals affected by bereavement, and from professionals and organisations working in areas relevant to the inquiry. More information can be found here:
Taking part - UK Commission on Bereavement (bereavementcommission.org.uk)
The Commission is keen to hear evidence from as wide a range of individuals and organisations as possible.
The Royal College of Nursing in Partnership with Alzheimer’s Society has created a patient passport
Patient passports
Colleagues at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have issued a reminder that the Royal College of Nursing in Partnership with Alzheimer’s Society has created a patient passport that contains all the information needed such as regarding their background, normal behaviours and likes and dislikes. This is especially helpful to allow acute colleagues to really get to know their patients who may not be able to communicate clearly.
One of the main challenges for hospital staff can be assessing whether the behaviour their patient is showing is normal, or if there is an underlying cause for a sudden change in temperament.
Knowing that a patient’s confusion or agitation is common behaviour can significantly reduce the need for additional tests and reduce delays in discharge. The patient passport really does make a difference to a patients care and can be found here on ELHT's website. The more of your residents that have these completed, the quicker they will be able to receive the appropriate care.
Alzheimers Society NEW This is me booklet
Clinical and Care Professional Leadership Survey
We need to hear the views of our clinical colleagues as we begin to describe the ICS architecture for Clinical and Care Professional Leadership. The survey takes around 15 minutes.
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/clinical-care-professional-leadership/
Planning for visits over the Christmas Period
Throughout December we expect the policy of named visitors, visitor testing, PPE, ventilation and enhanced cleaning to still be in place as outlined in the national guidance below (as long as you are not in outbreak).
Please ensure you update your visiting policy and covid-19 risk assessment to reflect the potential increased demand over the festive season.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes
Staff should feel empowered and confident to implement a responsible visitor code and ensure visitors are well and free from symptoms & have not had contact with a recent case on entry to the care home.
Please consider a more detailed booking or appointment system over the Christmas period. This should be communicated to family and friends of residents early to avoid any disappointment.
Please also ensure detailed risk assessments are carried out should any residents want to have external visits to family and friends.
Infection rates are an ever changing picture and therefore it is difficult to predict where we will be at the end of December …should there be any messages from the Director of Public Health we will ensure these are shared.
2. Pathway
Promoting access to cancer screenings for people with a learning disability
North Cancer Alliance website: https://northerncanceralliance.nhs.uk/?s=learning+disabilities
SALT WAITING LIST
Community speech and language therapy services are currently managing some longer waiting times due to a combination of staffing issues and rising referral rates.
The SLT profession recognises that management of eating and drinking is a responsibility that is shared by the care home and the SLT service.
The care home manages the nutrition and hydration needs of all of their residents on a day to day basis and the SLT team provide specialist assessment and advice when required by a resident.
When a patient presents with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), there are a number of measures that the care home can address and implement without the need for SLT involvement and which may provide the solution for the problems that the resident is having.
ACTION PLEASE READ & DISSEMINATE TO STAFF: ‘Summary Document for community SLT input to care homes’ which includes ‘Feeding safely routines’ and referral information.
Summary document for community SLT input to care homes
Pathway – one number from 1st Sept
01282 805 989 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
As those currently on the ICAT pathway (following the decommissioning of the telemedicine service) will be aware, a different telephone number was in place to call after 10pm. This is no longer the case; you can now contact the service 24/7 on the one number noted above where the District Nurses will now pick up after 10pm. A new poster is currently being printed and posted to care homes on the pathway. The pathway will be rolled out to the remaining homes in October when meet and greet session will be arranged via MS teams.
ICAT contact details
Pathway update
Work is underway to expand the service to LD and MH homes and the domiciliary sector.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with clients who have fallen and are on the floor (especially if you have contacted 999 and you have been advised that there might be a long wait for an ambulance), please call ICAT who can facilitate a 2 hour response to avoid the person being on the floor for a long period of time.
8am-10pm (7 days) Contact ICAT Service for advice Tel: 01282 805 989
After 10pm (7 days) Contact OOH District Nursing Team on the same number – 01282 805 989
The ICAT service now have a single point of access, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for advice and for logging falls.
Alternative Telemedicine Pathway for Reg Care V8 04.08.2021
Direct referral for therapy services
If you would like to refer direct to therapy services please contact - East Lancashire 01254 358008 Blackburn with Darwen 01254 283455
Falls Lifting Service
The service can help reduce the discomfort and stress of residents who have fallen, as well as the demand on North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). I am writing to let you know that you are now able to access the 24 hour service without charge, by calling the Progress Lifeline Control Centre on 01772 436 783 in the event of a fall where there is no obvious injury. The emergency home responders (EHRs) are trained in injury assessment and moving and handling people. They use a battery operated mobile lifting chair called a ‘Raizer’ that helps people off the floor to an almost standing position, making it easier for them to transfer from the chair. The EHRs will usually attend your residential or nursing home within 1 hour of being contacted, the average response time is just 27 minutes. On arrival they will complete an initial triage to establish if the patient is suitable to lift. If they think there is an injury, or it’s unsafe for the person to be lifted, NWAS will be contacted. Otherwise, they will lift the patient and then refer onward to other services, such as local falls prevention, if appropriate. The team have been issued with PPE and will be wearing this prior to entering the premises, they have all received infection control training, which includes the disposal or decontamination of PPE and equipment between visits. Onward referral to falls local prevention services (where patient consent is obtained) is part of the offer. If you have any questions about the service, please don’t hesitate to contact Steven McKiernan at Progress Housing Group or Kenneth John at BwD & East Lancs CCGs. Contact details :Steven Mckiernan, Service Delivery Manager, t: 01772 450642, m: 07765231213, e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Policies & Procedures
There is no new information this week. All previous guidance can be located in the last edition, below.
4. Training opportunities
LD RESTORE2
Identifying early signs of worsening health in a person with a learning disability – specific training for carers
Medicines Awareness Training
Medicines Awareness Training delivered by the Specialist Medicines Optimisation Team via MS Teams.
The first session will take place on 23rd November 2.00-3.00pm. Please use this link https://bookwhen.com/regulatedcare#focus=ev-sedz-20211123140 to access the booking page and book places for your staff. Further dates will be released in the coming months.
Bookwhen Guide New Version 2021
FREE Cyber Security and Data Protection Training
LSCP are extending the FREE Cyber Security & Data Protection Training Offer for owners and managers. Click one of the links to find out more.
RESTORE2 FREE online training and resources to help your home to detect deteriorating residents
Recognising when a resident’s health is deteriorating is important, particularly at this critical time. Together the Innovation Agency (NWC AHSN) and Clinical Commissioning Groups are working to enhance the confidence of care homes staff in detecting and appropriately escalating deteriorating residents
We would like to ask that all Care homes book onto a session via this link as soon as possible. They are held every Tuesdsay at 1.pm Thank you.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restore-2-online-training-session-tickets-103421153454
Frailty E-Learning
Frailty E-Learning for excellence in frailty identification, assessment and personalised care - https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/frailty/
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Training Guide
HLSC Social Care Training Pack Oct 2021
Online training diabetes programme for Care Homes
Sanofi have announced a national online training diabetes programme for Care Homes called Sanofi Cares. The programme has been independently developed by EDEN (leics diabetes) and will be delivered by EDEN. It is available across the UK for registered and non registered practitioners who care for people with diabetes in care homes. Up to 4 places per care home available. https://www.diabetesmatters.co.uk/sanoficares.html
COVID 19 / PPE IPC Training
Do you or your staff need PPE refresher training or do you have any new starters? If so contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (IPC Nurse) who can arrange this at your convenience via Zoom or MS Teams.
5. Coronavirus & Vaccinations
Winter Ventilation Guidance
Dear Managers
We appreciate that as the weather turns colder it may become difficult to maintain natural ventilation (e.g. opening windows) in care homes and office spaces and still keep staff and residents at a comfortable temperature.
However adequate ventilation and air exchange is important in reducing the risk of aerosol transmission.
Therefore please consider the points below:
• Ensure you have a ventilation strategy as part of your Providers COVID -19 risk assessment
• Consideration needs to be made regarding adequate ventilation and still ensuring thermal comfort for staff and residents
• When residents are in communal areas consider opening the windows in their bedrooms while they are not occupied
• If staff are cold please ensure the provider Uniform policy is not breached (encourage layers underneath the uniform rather than cardigans) staff should be bare below the elbows
• In communal areas if it is too cold to open the windows continuously consider partial opening or intermittent opening to encourage air exchange
Care Home Vaccine Poster
Please print out the poster below and display in staff areas to help support residents post Covid Booster and Flu Vaccination.
Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working / deployed in care homes
Form for people vaccinated abroad
Letter on temporary exemptions process
Testing for professionals visiting care homes
Updated 29 September 2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-in-adult-care-homes/testing-for-professionals-visiting-care-homes
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes: operational guidance - Updated 19th October 2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccination-of-people-working-or-deployed-in-care-homes-operational-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-of-people-working-or-deployed-in-care-homes-operational-guidance
Guidance on Care Home Visiting - Updated 23rd August
COVID-19 vaccination booster programme and flu vaccination programme
A reminder to all health and social care workers that the COVID-19 vaccination booster programme and flu vaccination programme will commence in September. Frontline health and social care workers will be offered a third COVID-19 booster vaccine as well as the annual flu vaccine. Please start to have conversations with your staff around the importance of attending for these vaccination boosters. If staff have not had their COVID vaccination, please sign post them to the National Booking system where they can get vaccinated locally. To support these conversations there are resources available on NHS App - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and modules on vaccine hesitancy on www.e-Lfh.org.uk which are free to access.
e-Learning for Healthcare - providing e-learning to educate and train the health and social care workforce www.e-lfh.org.uk
Please report single Covid cases to LCC IPC Team
FAO Managers - please ensure you report all SINGLE CASES (in staff or residents) as soon as possible to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as well as logging on NECS - as these incidents may trigger Rapid Response Testing.
How to work safely in Care Homes - updated guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-resource-for-care-workers-working-in-care-homes-during-sustained-covid-19-transmission-in-england
6. Domiciliary Care
There is no new information this week. All previous guidance can be located in the last edition, below.
7. Primary Care
Pathway
Access to Primary Care remains unchanged for all areas. Homes in Pendle and Hyndburn can now contact your GP practices directly. The new pathway is here
If you are experiencing any difficulties with clients who have fallen and are on the floor (especially if you have contacted 999 and you have been advised that there might be a long wait for an ambulance), please call ICAT who can facilitate a 2 hour response to avoid the person being on the floor for a long period of time.
Primary Care Briefing
The latest primary care briefing can be found here
Primary Care - please use these contact details to log any issues
Following on from the Coffee & Engagement session on the 9th June and issues raised around contacting Primary Care, please use these contact details to log any issues -
Customer Care Team
Telephone: 0800 032 2424
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please also continue to report any concerns into the CCG's connect inbox - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Also if someone wants to make a formal complaint and doesn’t want to do this through the Practice Manager at the practice concerned they can do this through NHSE:
NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
Tel: 0300 311 22 33 (Mon – Fri 8am-6pm)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
8. Digital IT & Data
Samsung tablet offer with data sim
As you will be aware there has been an offer from the CCG in Pennine Lancashire to assist with the provision of equipment to facilitate weekly ward rounds from Primary Care. We have been made aware of some issues providers have had trying to purchase this equipment with a contract for the data package. Due to this we now have an alternative offer which does not require a contract. If you have a lack of equipment and would be interested in the offer of an additional tablet and data sim card please contact us for further discussions ASAP. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Diane on 07920 265229.
NHSmail Application Process
DSPT waiver period ended 30th June 2021.
From 1st July onwards, all care providers requesting an NHSmail account are required to be compliant for the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) https://www.dsptoolkit.nhs.uk
Once the care provider is DSPT compliant follow the link https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk/covid-19-guidance/covid-19-quick-access-to-nhsmail/nhsmail-fast-track-how-to/ to apply for NHSmail accounts.
Send the completed form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If the care provider has not received an acknowledgement in 8 calendar days or experiencing difficulties in completing the form, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Note: The NHSmail application form is update regularly on the Digital Social Care Website please visit the website to obtain the most up to date application form https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk
Digital Social Care
Digital Social Care is a dedicated space to provide advice and support to the sector on technology and data protection.
Digital Social Care - Run by social care providers for social care providers.
9. Key dates and information
Care sector thank you week
Help us celebrate the care sector and its workforce in the first Lancashire and South Cumbria thank you week
The Lancashire and South Cumbia Health and Care Partnership are delighted to announce the launch of the care sector ‘Thank you week’. Between 6 – 10 December 2021, ‘Thank you week’ will celebrate and recognise the outstanding care delivered by services, teams and individuals in the care sector across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Our aim is to share and promote the work that has been ongoing to support people living in care home settings and their own homes, and encourage everyone who has been affected by this care, compassion and dedication to share their stories and thank you’s.
We also want to show our commitment as a sector to the staff who we work alongside, providing recognition, support and empowerment to continue in their valuable roles.
In the weeks leading up to ‘Thank you week’ we are asking colleagues and members of the public to share stories, pictures and messages of support and thanks which will then be shared across ‘Thank you week’ in December.
This is a real opportunity to show a collective support for the care sector in what has been, and continues to be a challenging time where resilience, strength and dedication to the care profession has shone through.
To share thank you messages, words of support and encouragement and promotion of best practice you have encountered please return the below template by 24 November 2021.
For further information, please contact Liz Williams This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dare to Care – expressions of interest
In order to support recruitment in Residential and Nursing Homes the Dare to Care pathway was developed as a pilot in the Fylde Coast. It is proposed to run a similar project in Pennine Lancashire building on the Dare to Care model, and this time focusing on people who are digitally excluded so they can be trained as digital champions. The aim is to attract people with caring experience by building upon their skills, knowledge and experience to help them become job ready and motivated to work in care homes. Secondly, to help build the reputation of care homes as a career choice, impacting on retention.
The pathway is simple.
Candidates are recruited by an umbrella organisation (in this pilot it is Healthwatch Lancs), as volunteers and after initial assessment achieve a Progression Award in recognition of the skills they have already accrued in their caring role. This is a first step towards learning. They then complete mandatory training prior to undertaking a minimum of 6 weeks flexible placement as a volunteer in the care home. The aim is to give them insight to the environment and to find out more about various roles and career opportunities.
At the end of the pathway they are offered a guaranteed interview, and are eligible to apply for roles, and/or opt for higher level health and social care training. They can otherwise decide it’s not for them or opt to be a regular volunteer.
In order to progress this initiative, we are looking for interested care homes who would like to host placements and who would be willing to join a ‘task and finish’ co-production team to examine feasibility and fine tune the Dare to Care model
Please express interest by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Care Allocation Service Team Contact Details
Please note the service now uses capacity trackers to determine bed availability. This means you WILL NOT receive a daily phone call from the CAST team. All other processes remain unchanged. If you have any question or concern please contact Service Manager Mandy.
Mandy Griezans IDS Service Delivery Manager 01254 732146 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NW ADASS in partnership with CQC
CARE HOME QUALITY WEBINARS July, September and October
Please see flyer - NWADASS Webinars
Pennine Lancashire Care Provider Forum
No need to book, just use this link to dial in - Join Microsoft Teams Meeting - dates in table below.
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Nov-21 |
Dec-21 |
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PL Care Sector Coffee & Engagement Sessions |
Second Wednesday of each month |
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10th |
8th |
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PL CCG Care Sector Provider Forum |
Last Tuesday of each month |
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30th |
28th |
Coffee and Engagement Events – Second Wednesday of each month, 2pm-3pm
Calling all Regulated Care Providers! Please join us for a coffee and chat session to have your say! The purpose of these sessions are to support the Regulated Care sector to provide high quality and safe services and to be a fully integrated part of the Pennie Lancashire Health and Social Care service delivery model by listening to, learning from and working together. Please use this MS teams link to dial in at 2pm on the dates below, no need to book. Click here to join the meeting We look forward to seeing you there. Please see dates in the table above.
10. Spotlight on: our feature about you, your residents, staff and settings
Fundraising event at Hollymount Residential Care Home
11th December 10am – 4pm
3 West Park Road,
Blackburn,
Lancashire,
BB2 6DE
11. Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing Bulletin
CCG Wellbeing Bulletin November Edition is available to view here
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Social Care Wellbeing Toolkit
Wellbeing guidance and resources tool for social care, which brings together a range of easy to use, bite size resources and information support around finance and wider support.
Previous Editions
Issue 25, 31st May 2021
Issue 24, 17th May 2021
Issue 23, 10th May 2021
Issue 22, 26th April 2021
Issue 21, 19th April 2021
Issue 20, 12th April 2021
Issue 19, 6th April 2021
Issue No 18 29th March 2021
Issue No 17, 22nd March 2021
Issue No 16, 15th March 2021
Issue No 15, 8th March 2021
Issue No 14, 1st March 2021
Issue No 13, 22nd February 2021
Issue No 12, 15th February 2021
Issue No 11, 8th February 2021
Issue No 10, 1st February 2021
Issue No 9, 25th January 2021
Issue No 8, 18th January 202
Issue No 7, 11th January 2021
Issue No 6, 14th December 2020
Issue No 5, 7th December2020
Issue No 4, 30th November 2020
Issue No 3, 20th November 2020
Issue No 2, 13th November 2020
Issue No 1, 6th November 2020
Please be aware that the Connect email address remains operational. You can report any issues or good news in relation to any local health care services to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Queries? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Questions? Go to: https://eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/
Facebook us: Pennine Lancashire Regulated Care Providers | Facebook
Peer Support - Whatsapp Group: Would you like to join the local Pennine Lancs Care Peer Support whatsapp group? If so please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 07780224847 to arrange to be added.