Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 21 June 2020
Sunday 21 June
Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages
- ADASS has published its annual budget survey for 2020. It is the second of two reports examining the impact the pandemic has had on adult social care services. Please see below for a link to the report. We issued a statement in response, which can be read here.
- Additional funding for social care from central government to date is welcome, but falls significantly short of what is needed. This is confirmed by modelling by ADASS, which identifies an extra £6.6 billion of costs purely to the end of September (read more here). VODG and other members of the Care Provider Alliance have also expressed repeated concerns to the LGA and ADASS that funding from central government has not reached providers in sufficient amounts and with enough speed. In addition, central government has also not paid enough attention to the needs of social care as a whole, including providers of non-CQC registered services and those receiving personal budgets. We are currently raising significant concerns by members about the risk to providers who have been paid on the basis of "commissioned hours", "payment on plan" and other arrangements, (including for day and other services, which are not currently able to operate and where re-opening may be gradual). These concerns are particularly acute where local authorities have specified a time limit on this funding or failed to confirm arrangements for its continuation. Members will make every effort to engage with commissioners to obtain clarity and commitments on funding at the local level, emphasising the value of existing services, their importance to those being supported, increased costs, lost revenue and the potential severe consequences if funding is reduced, discontinued or fails to match expenditure, leading, for example, to services or providers becoming financially unviable. Meanwhile, we'll continue to raise these and other issues, including the need for government to address the long term issues of under-funding. Please continue to let us know of funding concerns as they arise, either for specific escalation to the Department of Health and Social Care or the LGA or for inclusion on an anonymised basis in making the continued case for increased funding overall.
- On the issue of CCGs responding to providers about COVID-19 additional costs for NHS Continuing Health Care funded clients (such as PPE), CCGs received £1.3 billion from central government earlier on in the pandemic. We know that some care providers are concerned about CCGs not funding additional COVID-19 costs and a lack of uplifts on rates. NHS England & Improvement is happy to raise and follow up on specific issues with specific CCGs. To do so they need to know: - the provider's name - CCG name - description of the specific issue - whether current or long-standing - if long-standing, how long the issue has existed Please email these details to [email protected] if you would like them passed to NHS England & Improvement for raising.
- All feedback, please email [email protected]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): news
Coronavirus and shielding of clinically extremely vulnerable people in England
ONS Shielding Behavioural Survey explored whether the population who had been advised to shield followed guidance.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) related mortality by religion, ethnicity and disability: England and Wales
ONS release providing overview of deaths related to COVID-19 among people identifying by religion group, ethnic group and disability status.
Regulating during COVID-19
CQC updates on its regulation activity and the importance of raising concerns about care.
COVID-19 deaths in care settings broken down by ethnicity
Supported by ONS, CQC has analysed the impact of COVID-19 on different ethnic groups in care settings.
Collaboration between services essential
CQC chief executive says collaboration between services is integral to meeting people’s needs.
UK's COVID-19 alert level reduced
The virus is now "in general circulation" with a "gradual relaxation of restrictions" possible.
New advice on shielding will be given 'very soon'
Any announcement must make clear why it will be safe for those most at risk to stop isolating, charities say.
Next phase of NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) app announced
Government announces next phase of app that supports the end-to-end NHS Test and Trace service.
Councils facing service cuts due to coronavirus costs
England's county councils could "use up" all their money dealing with the virus, a report warns.
First coronavirus treatment approved
Government has authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.
People with learning disabilities forgotten during pandemic
Mencap raises concerns over social isolation and lack of testing.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Steps to take following the death of a person who worked in adult social care
Actions for local authorities and social care providers following a COVID-19 related death of an employee or volunteer.
Bereavement resources for the social care workforce
Collation of resources for the social care workforce who may have experienced a bereavement.
COVID-19: understanding the impact on BAME communities
Summary of stakeholder insights into factors affecting black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
PPE – resource for care workers delivering homecare
Explains how PPE guidance applies to domiciliary care setting and is drawn from full infection prevention and control and PPE guidance.
Visitors' protocol -briefing for care providers
Care Provider Alliance briefing providing principles and tips to help people using care and support to safely receive visitors during the pandemic.
How to work safely in care homes
Explains how PPE guidance applies to the care home setting and is drawn from full infection prevention and control and PPE guidance.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response
Devon locals with learning disabilities create stop-motion loneliness animation for awareness week
New stop-motion animation, created by people with learning disabilities and their support workers, aims to kick-start discussions about the impact of isolation – specifically on the learning disability community and especially since the coronavirus outbreak.
Skills for Care enews
Latest news and resources from Skills for Care. Includes new information about Care Friends, the new employee referral app.
ADASS Budget Survey 2020 Part #2 Impact of COVID-19 on budgets
Report reveals the scale of the financial impact of the pandemic on adult social care services.
Where is the £750m package for charities being spent?
NPC report examines where government money is being spent and which funds are still open to applications.
Supported Living and Extra Care survey
CQC has written to supported living and extra care providers about roll out of 'Update CQC on the impact of coronavirus' online form.
Sport England Innovation open call
Call for solutions that remove barriers for communities least well served due to COVID-19, including disabled people.
NMC stakeholder information pack
Updated Nursing & Midwifery Council COVID-19 pack summarises key information about its pandemic response.
Chandra McGowan reflects on disability support services during COVID-19
"In a current piece of research for VODG...the most experienced and dedicated voluntary sector CEOs from provider organisations have given examples of how the system could address these inequalities for people living with disabilities. ... These are the people who, even if they don’t know all the answers, are the ones who will have the best chance of improving the lives of disabled people in the future. “Values driven” leadership applied to service improvement may challenge existing structures, but can we really afford not to let them try?"
Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources
CQC adult social care trade associations meeting | 17 June | slide deck
Slide deck from 17 June meeting. Includes COVID-19 focus and CQC's plan for transitioning out of the emergency support phase to full regulatory services.
Easy Read Coronavirus Posters
Features new posters explaining rules about face masks and templates of exemption cards.
Trowers & Hamlins legal update
Covers updated guidance on option to flexibly furlough staff under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from 1 July.
COVID-19 bereavement support
Features dedicated bereavement support and resources for the care sector.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | chat transcript | 10 June
Full chat transcript of the NHSE/I learning disability and autism partners webinar.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | webinar (slide deck)
Slides from NHSE/I's learning disability and autism partners webinar on 10 June.
Learning Disability and Autism Programme | FAQs| 10 June
Summary of FAQs from NHSE/I's webinar with learning disability and autism partners.
