Policy Updates 24th January 2022

 

The following policy updates have been curated from the week commencing 24th January 2022.

Policy Updates

Vaccination as a condition of deployment operational guidance published

The operational guidance on vaccination as a condition of deployment in wider care settings has now been published. Separate pieces of guidance are available from NHS England to cover healthcare settings, and the care home guidance has also been updated. 

In summary:  

  • Professionals entering care homes have been required to meet the vaccination requirements since the first set of regulations came into force in November, unless they are exempt or covered by other exceptions, and they must continue to do so.

  • Regarding wider care settings, the new guidance sets out how the latest regulations, which come into force on 1 April 2022, apply to wider care settings. It sets out that the duties of the regulations fall upon registered persons of CQC-registered care providers, where those providers employ or engage staff who provide CQC-regulated activities.

  • In the majority of cases, as they are not providing CQC-regulated activities for or on behalf of a CQC-registered provider, social workers are not in scope, and many Allied Mental Health Professionals also will not be in scope.

However, where individuals do not fall in scope, we would still appreciate your continued encouragement of your staff to take up the offer of vaccination.

Using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad and at venues and settings in England
How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England.
24 January 2022: Updated video about the NHS COVID Pass letter for travel abroad in British Sign Language (BSL).
Found at: GOV.UK

PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)
Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
21 January 2022: Updated to say that it is a legal requirement on employers that FFP3 masks must be fit tested on all health and care staff who may be required to wear one. Updated the order limits for GPs to include FFP3 masks.
Found at: GOV.UK

COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes: operational guidance
20 January 2022
Since 11 November 2021, anyone working or volunteering in a care home has needed to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), unless exempt. These conditions were updated by regulations that came into force on 6 January 2022 and additional regulations that will come into force on 1 April 2022.
Found at: GOV.UK


Supported living services during coronavirus (COVID-19)
21 January 2022
Updated isolation guidance for supported living workers - those who have tested positive for COVID-19 to end self-isolation after 6 days, following 2 negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart.
Found at: GOV.UK

Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
20 January 2022
Updated guidance throughout in line with the latest clinical advice from the UK Health Security Agency. See the summary change note in the guidance for a full breakdown of all updates.
Found at: GOV.UK


Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult day care centre workers and service users
20 January 2022
Updated to reflect removal of confirmatory PCR after a positive LFT – and updated advice on testing within 90 days of a positive result.
Found at: GOV.UK

Wider News

Health and Social Care Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 19 January 2022)
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid gave a statement at the Downing Street press conference. Today marks the start of the next chapter in this country’s fight against COVID-19. A few hours ago, the Prime Minister announced that, thanks to the progress we’ve all made, we will be lifting the Plan B measures and returning to our original Plan A.
Found at: GOV.UK

UK open for travel with all restrictions removed for eligible vaccinated arrivals
Changes to COVID-19 testing measures for travellers arriving in the UK from 4am 11 February.
Found at: GOV.UK

Planning for the year ahead: tips for individual employers
As the new year begins, we share information and advice to help individual employers plan for the year ahead.
Found at: Skills for Care

Vaccination as a condition of deployment in wider care settings
Join this webinar on Thursday 27 January, 2.30 - 3.30pm to hear about the essential dates of implementation, who the regulations apply to and the vaccination requirements. Time will be available for Q&As. For more information about the regulations, please see the operational guidance and Q&A document in the VCOD online toolkit.
Found at: Eventbrite


England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme
Plan B measures will be removed following millions getting the booster, which gives strong protection against Omicron.

  • People will no longer be advised to work from home, face coverings will no longer be mandatory in indoor venues, and organisations will be able to choose whether to require NHS Covid Passes

  • Vaccination remains our best defence against COVID-19 and people are urged to Get Boosted Now

The government has today announced that England will fully return to Plan A on Thursday 27 January thanks to the success of the booster programme, with ministers urging anyone who has still not had a top-up jab to come forward and Get Boosted Now.
Found at: GOV.UK

SPI-B: Recommendations to increase adherence by healthcare workers, 24 June 2020
Paper by SPI-B on recommendations to increase adherence by healthcare workers to personal protective behaviours aimed at reducing nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This paper was available to SAGE participants, but was not formally tabled or discussed in a SAGE meeting. The paper is the assessment of the evidence at the time of writing. As new evidence or data emerges, SAGE updates its advice accordingly.
Found at: GOV.UK

Flu Watch: Impact of occupational exposure to disease, proximity to others during work and income on mortality from COVID-19, 27 May 2020
Paper prepared by Flu Watch on occupational exposure to COVID-19. This paper was available for participants to read at SAGE 39 on 28 May 2020, but not considered or discussed in the meeting. The paper is the assessment of the evidence at the time of writing. As new evidence or data emerges, SAGE updates its advice accordingly.
Found at: GOV.UK

#PrepareToCare22 campaign
Throughout January we’re focusing on providing social care managers with guidance and inspiration to plan and prepare for the year ahead. Throughout the month we’ll be focusing on providing information, support, and resources around planning for learning and development, supporting wellbeing, and workforce planning. We’ll be sharing top tips, insights from others working in the sector, and round-ups of our key resources through articles and blogs on our website, as well as on our social media channels using #PrepareToCare.
Found at: Skills for Care

PM statement to the House of Commons on COVID-19: 19 January 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement to the House of Commons on COVID-19.
GOV.UK

England to return to Plan A following the success of the booster programme
Plan B measures will be removed following millions getting the booster, which gives strong protection against Omicron.
GOV.UK

Care home restrictions to be eased as Plan B rules lifted
Restrictions on care home visits are to be eased as part of the lifting of Plan B rules announced by the government today. The Prime Minister said an announcement on the lifting of restrictions will be made by the Health & Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, in the coming days.
Care Home Professional

 
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