Care England Policy Insight (16.08.2023)

 

Testing our approach to local authority assessments update

In an updated news story published yesterday, the CQC has advised that the local authority formal assessments which were meant to take place in September, have now been delayed to an undisclosed date later in the year.

They are currently developing how they will select the first local authorities to be assessed and will publish more information on this before the start of the formal assessments.

Their approach to formal assessments may be subject to further government approval, as required by the Health and Care Act 2022.

You can read the full article on the CQCs website by clicking here.

Linen processing within adult social care: information sheet

On Monday, the DHSC published guidance on linen processing within adult social care. This information sheet is aimed at adult social care providers in England.

The information sheet highlights that, in the summer, bacteria can grow on linen faster because of higher temperatures. This means that there can be more bacteria present on clean linen, even if it has been washed and dried correctly, as it is more difficult to remove bacteria in the normal way.

The steps you can take to reduce the risk of linen becoming contaminated are outlined in this national guidance.

Information on laundry practices is available in the prevention and control of infection in care homes summary for staff.

A more detailed description of the handling of linen in care homes can be found in prevention and control of infection in care homes information resource.

The Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-04 gives guidance for those who process linen used in health and adult social care settings, with a specific document being available on decontamination of linen within social care settings.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance outlines how registered providers can ensure that the storage, supply and provision of linen and laundry are appropriate for the level and type of care.

The guidance can be read in full by clicking here.

£250 million to boost NHS capacity with 900 new beds

Yesterday, in a press release from DHSC, it was announced that nine hundred new hospital beds will be delivered across the NHS as part of £250 million government funding to help treat patients more quickly this winter.

The funding has been awarded to NHS trusts to relieve pressures and help cut waiting lists, one of the government’s top 5 priorities.

Thirty NHS organisations across England will benefit from the investment in urgent and emergency care services. This includes developing or expanding urgent treatment centres and same day emergency care services which will help patients to be seen more quickly, without being admitted to hospital. NHS England expects that the majority of schemes will be completed by January 2024 to help deal with winter pressures.

This investment is part of the NHS urgent and emergency care recovery plan, published in January 2023, which set out plans to provide over 5,000 additional permanent, fully staffed hospital beds in total, with the NHS on track to deliver this by winter. These new 900 beds are part of this commitment.

You can read the full press release, and the comments made by the Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, by clicking here.

UKHSA priorities in 2023 to 2024

Today, the DHSC has published a Letter from Health Minister Maria Caulfield MP confirming the UK Health Security Agency’s role and priorities for the financial year 2023 to 2024.

The letter provides an overview of UKHSA’s strategic remit, priorities, core capabilities and key deliverables for the financial year.

You can read the letter in full here.

South London leading the way with health coaching app and digital mental health strategy

A digital health tool piloted in Lewisham and Southwark is being rolled out nationally after users said it helped them adopt healthy habits.

The Holly Health app, developed in collaboration with users, is aimed at people aged 50 and over, and offers personalised coaching, which includes educational videos and health habit monitoring. Users can receive continuous guidance and motivation to enhance their physical activity, mindfulness, and lifestyle behaviours.

A 12-week pilot conducted by Holly Health in partnership with Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, found that 93% of the 36 participants said they were now carrying out new healthy habits automatically.

It also found that 89% of participants planned to continue using Holly Health after completing the pilot and 94% stated they would recommend using the app to a friend or family member.

You can read more about this at Future Care Capital.

Tenders and contract opportunities for adult social care

The link below lists recent tender and contract opportunities for adult social care providers to consider. 

Click here to see the full tender and contract opportunities that are available on the Care England Website

Care England re-issues gas and electricity tender for care providers

Care providers with energy contracts expiring before 2026, who wish to secure the lowest possible energy price available at their renewal date and to benefit from support and solutions not available to individual organisations on their own, should register their interest here and complete the expression of interest link. 

 
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