Policy Updates 2nd August 2021
Statement on COVID-19 vaccination of people working/deployed in care homes: the role of the Care Quality Commission
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have amended the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 so that, from 11 November 2021, all care home workers and other visiting professionals will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have an exemption or there is an emergency. Registered persons (registered managers, registered providers) will need to ensure that they do not allow anyone entry into a care home unless they have had a complete course of an authorised vaccine or fall into one of the groups exempt from being vaccinated.
Found at: CQC
NHS COVID Pass
5 August 2021
Updated the BSL guide (video) for people who have received an NHS COVID Pass letter.
Found at: GOV.UK
Update on self-isolation for adult social care staff
2.5.2 The decision is subject to a risk assessment and subsequent authorisation by an individual(s) nominated by the organisation’s management and a locally agreed multi-agency arrangement. Healthcare and care providers should check with their Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Director of Public Health, health protection team (HPT), clinical commissioning group or relevant local authority commissioner about these arrangements.
Care England has been informed that we are expecting an accompanying letter from DHSC.
Found at: GOV.UK
JCVI issues updated advice on COVID-19 vaccination of young people aged 16 to 17 (press release)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is today advising that all 16 and 17-year-olds receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. In the last few weeks, there have been large changes in the way COVID-19 has been spreading in the UK, particularly in younger age groups. The adult vaccine programme has progressed very successfully and more safety data has become available, so it was important to review the advice for the vaccination of children and young people.
Found at: GOV.UK
Vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes: operational guidance
From 11 November 2021, anyone working or volunteering in a care home will need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), unless exempt. These regulations require registered persons (service providers) at all Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered care homes (which provide accommodation together with nursing or personal care) to ensure that anyone who works or volunteers in the indoor premises of that care home must demonstrate that they have been vaccinated or have an exemption.
Found at: GOV.UK
Visiting arrangements in care homes
3 August 2021
Clarification on PPE usage when caring for residents with learning disabilities.
Found at: GOV.UK
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
4 August 2021
Edited get tested and self-isolate. The length of time 18-year-olds who are a contact of a positive case will be exempt from self-isolation has changed from 4 months after their 18th birthday to 6 months after.
Found at: GOV.UK
COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients, and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19. Change made: Updated section 2.5 clarifying the risk-assessment process and additional mitigation for staff to avoid working with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.
Found at: GOV.UK
COVID-19: parking concessions for health, care, and volunteer workers
The national pass guidance was always intended to be temporary and, 14 months after its introduction, was withdrawn on 21 June 2021 and most local authorities no longer accept the paper parking passes. This brings the temporary national parking pass scheme to an end. NHS staff continue to be eligible for free parking in hospital car parks.
Found at: GOV.UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow home test kit instructions for nose-only test: ACON Flowflex
Find out how to do an ACON Flowflex rapid nose-only test for COVID-19 at home for yourself (or a child) and report the results. This test comes in a blue and white pack with the ACON Flowflex brand on it.
This guide tells you how to:
prepare the test
take a swab from yourself or a child
process the sample
read and report the result
Found at: GOV.UK
COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
2 August 2021
Updated section 2.5 clarifying the risk-assessment process and additional mitigation for staff to avoid working with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.
Found at: GOV.UK
NHS COVID Pass
How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when traveling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.
29 July 2021: Updated to reflect that proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test can be used to demonstrate COVID-19 status when traveling abroad; the NHS COVID Pass can be stored used the Apple Wallet when using an iPhone or iPad; and those who received the Novavax vaccine as part of a formally approved vaccine trial, can now obtain the NHS COVID Pass.
Found at: GOV.UK
COVID-19: providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
Guidance for people who are providing unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
30 July 2021: Updated to include information on NHS volunteer responders.
Found at: GOV.UK
Technical specifications for personal protective equipment (PPE)
The documents attached define the technical and regulatory standards for PPE.
30 July 2021: Updated section 5.10 of the Transparent face mask technical specification.
Found at: GOV.UK