24 Mar 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 23 March 2020
Monday 23 March
Below you will find a roundup of the latest guidance and news released over the weekend and today. The government has now introduced measures for those considered to be at most risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and guidance around vulnerable children and young people.
Ahead of the next Care Quality Commission trades association meeting on 8 April, members are invited to send us any questions or concerns they would like us to put forward at the meeting. Please send these to [email protected]. We are also regularly making representations on the operational issues being raised by providers across the sector (via the Care Provider Alliance). Please also send in these issues to the email above and we will continue to feedback the answers as/when they are received.
Many of you will be aware, today we launched a series of COVID-19 Response Hubs to bring members together to share intelligence, resources and risk mitigations in the context of the pandemic. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to express an interest in joining one of the Hubs. As a reminder, here is a full list of Hubs:
- Commissioning relationships, funding & contracts
- Operations, quality & safety
- Supplies & provision
- Workforce & HR
- Education, schools, and colleges
- Housing
- Communications
- Policy & public affairs
- Digital, data & tech
To join one, or more, of these Hubs, please email [email protected] specifying which Hub you would like to join. Please state your full name and job title and we will send you an invitation to set up an individual account.
Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs
Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages
- Government has published guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. Please see below for link to guidance.
- Ahead of the next CQC Trade Associations meeting on 8 April, members are invited to send in any questions or concerns they would like VODG to put forward. Please [email protected]
- All feedback, please email [email protected]
Coronavirus (COVID-19): news
VoiceAbility response to emergency Coronavirus Bill
VoiceAbility Chief Executive Jonathan Senker says: “Whilst we all recognise the current extraordinary circumstances, it is disproportionate and potentially dangerous to entirely remove legal rights to social care. There are alternatives which would still give Local Authorities the ability to respond. Examples include maintaining the duties, but making them subject to it being reasonable and practicable to meet them."
Digital support funding
NHSX is making funding available to support digital solutions that help people during the coronavirus outbreak. Techforce19 is a new programme, open to innovative technology companies in England who will compete for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution.
The funding for digital solutions will be made available to innovators who can find digital ways to support those who need help during the coronavirus outbreak – including people requiring mental health support and those with social care needs. To work collaboratively on a project across VODG please email [email protected].
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): sector response
MHRA requests electronic reports of suspected side effects to medicines using the Yellow Card Scheme
MHRA is requesting all patients, care givers and healthcare professionals to submit reports of suspected side effects to medicines using the Yellow Card Scheme electronically rather than by paper, during the current outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings
Coronavirus COVID-19 keeping in touch (KIT) meeting | Wednesday 25 March | 11.30-13.00
The next virtual Coronavirus (COVID-19) KIT meeting will be offer another opportunity for members to share issues and ideas. Click here to register.
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. Each week, you will be asked to submit questions a day before the forum which will be held online via Skype.
The first forum will be held tomorrow [24 March 2020] from 11:00-12:00, the topic will be ‘Infection Control in ASC Settings’ and the conversation will be led by Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
Please can you submit any questions you would like to be addressed in tomorrow’s session to [email protected] and [email protected]." [Please also email directly to register your place.]