Policy Updates 11th July 2022
The following policy updates have been curated from the week commencing 11th July 2022.
New Policy
Evidence on costs associated with NHS-funded nursing care: 2021 to 2022
This document sets out evidence of the cost to care homes of providing NHS-funded nursing care. This evidence was used to inform the setting of the 2022 to 2023 NHS-funded nursing care rate and retrospective increase on the 2021 to 2022 rate.
Found at: GOV.UK
Updated Policy
Charging reform: government response to the consultation on 'implementing the cap on care costs' operational guidance
The government is changing how personal care is paid for and ending the risk of unpredictable and unlimited care costs. From October 2023, the government will introduce:
a new £ 86,000-lifetime cap on the amount anyone in England will need to spend on their personal care over their lifetime; only personal contributions will count towards the cap
an extended means test, extending state support to anyone with up to £100,000 of assets – more than 4 times the current limit – and anyone with assets under £20,000 will not have to pay anything for their care from their assets
For the reforms to be successfully implemented, local authorities will need to fully comprehend and apply their core legal duties and powers under the new system. For that reason, it is critical that the statutory guidance is clear, comprehensive and operable. The government has consulted on statutory guidance for local authorities, which will form part of the existing Care and Support Statutory (CASS) Guidance. The aim of the consultation was to ensure that the guidance is clear and workable for local authorities.
Found at: GOV.UK
Operational guidance to implement a lifetime cap on care costs
From 4 March to 1 April 2022, the government carried out a public consultation seeking views on draft statutory guidance setting out how a cap on care costs would operate in practice.
7 July
Added the formal government response to the ‘implementing the cap on care costs’ part of the consultation, along with revised draft operational guidance on implementing the cap on care costs, with the responses from the consultation taken on board.
Found at: GOV.UK
Wider Stakeholder News
Check care staff’s data security and protection competency: new tools
Better Security, Better Care launches new data protection discussion and assessment resources for managers and frontline workers. In order to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit The Data Security and Protection Toolkit is an online self-assessment tool that allows health and social care organisations to provide assurance that they are undertaking good data security and that personal information is handled correctly. The T More (DSPT), care providers need to demonstrate that their staff have been trained and are competent in data security and protection.
Found at: Skills for Care
Deconditioning information for providers of services for older people and the public
The National Falls Prevention Co-ordination Group (NFPCG) Deconditioning task and finish sub-group have developed a suite of five resources intended to support individuals, health and care professionals and commissioners to take action to help older adults become more active and recondition following activity restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources can be downloaded below list or from the British Geriatric Society website.
Have you noticed yourself having less energy since the pandemic started? - For member of the public
Getting fit after the pandemic - Easy to read version
Getting fit after the pandemic - Easy to read version for those with visual impairment
Do you have less energy since the pandemic started? - Five simple tips to build up your strength and balance and recondition (poster)
Identifying and supporting individuals experiencing deconditioning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic - For health and social care professionals
Guidance for setting up strength and balance exercise programmes - For commissioners and providers
Government News
Government delays social care reform by 18 months
Care Minister Gillian Keegan has announced the government is delaying access for self-funders to lower local authority fee rates by 18 months.
Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO of Care England, welcomed the delay telling CHP: ”I welcome the fact that the government has delayed the implementation of Section 18.3. This measure could have taken significant money out of the social care sector, and we need more time for the government to establish how they are going to make this workable, and have enough money available to sustain an already pressurised social care sector.”
Care Home Professional
NHS-funded nursing care: statement on delay to amending regulations
The government laid the National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 532) on 11 May 2022. Section 6E(9) of the National Health Service Act 2006 sets the expectation that amendments to the Standing Rules will normally come into force on 1 April. This statement explains the reasons for the instrument coming into force on 1 June 2022.
Found at: GOV.UK
Heatwave: Councils urge people to check up on vulnerable as country experiences soaring temperatures
Councils are advising people to take precautions as the UK experiences soaring temperatures. With at least a week of hot weather to come, the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, has encouraged people to enjoy the sun safely and to check up on those who may be more vulnerable, including the elderly and those with heart and respiratory problems. It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a level 3 heat alert, with temperatures becoming widely hot this week. There is an expectation that in southeastern and eastern areas temperatures will reach the low 30s.
Found at: LGA
Local News
Bristol MP calls on Government to address staff shortages across NHS and social care
Karin Smyth has slammed the Government’s track record on NHS waiting times, emergency and social care, calling on ministers to take action.
Bristol 24/7
Social care reform delayed by the government for 18 months
Care Minister Gillian Keegan has announced the government is delaying access for self-funders to lower local authority fee rates by 18 months.
Home Care Insight