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Update on social care sustainability payments

We have received a letter today (3 August) from the Scottish Government and COSLA with an update on social care sustainability payments.

The initial funding arrangement to support the social care sector expired on 31st July. However, due to ongoing challenges for Local Authorities, IJBS and social care providers, it has been agreed that there will be an additional fund of up to £50 million. This fund will be available until the end of September.

The Social Care Staff Support Fund remains unchanged by this extension and will also be available until the end of September.

Letter - Additional Funding for Social Care
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Sustainability payment concerns

It is reported that across Scotland only an average of 38% of providers have made claims for sustainability payments. In some areas, this number is as low as 14%.

By now you should have received forms to support your application from your Local Authority/HSCP or Lead Authority. The principles for these payments can be found here: https://www.cosla.gov.uk/news/may-2020/social-care-sustainability-payments

As you know, Scottish Care has been working closely with Scottish Government, COSLA and Chief Finance Officers to progress issues of financial sustainability and staffing costs.

Three weeks ago, we introduced a system of raising individual concerns at a national level where they are then progressed by COSLA against agreed principles. Much work has been done to address these concerns. For more information about the sort of issues which have been addressed in your local area, please see the spreadsheet below.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

  • Make your claims for payment as soon as possible. Failure to do so could impact future funding opportunities.
  • If you have an urgent need for funding, raise this with your local commissioning team – they are prepared for such circumstances to make priority payments.
  • If you are having concerns with the payment process, raise this with your local commissioning team. If this does not help, then contact your local Independent Sector Lead or if you do not have one, contact Swaran Rakhra, Membership Support Manager. They will feed this into the process outlined above to be addressed by COSLA.
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Guidance on use of gloves in care home setting

We have been made aware that some care homes have been advised by visiting professionals that only nitrile gloves should be used in the care home setting. 

This is contrary to the enclosed letter of clarity that was sent out by national procurement and Health Protection Scotland glove use and selection flow chart which can be found at http://www.nipcm.scot.nhs.uk/appendices/appendix-5-best-practice-gloves-use-and-selection/. 

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Summary guidance & FAQ – Use of Social Care Testing Portal by care homes

Please find correspondence below that was sent to NHS Boards for onward circulation to care homes on the use of the UK Government Social Care Testing Portal by Scottish Care Homes. We have become aware that not all care homes have seen this and would like to highlight in particular

  • The UK Government Social Care testing portal should only be used for staff testing and that any residents who require testing should be organised via the local Health Board
  • When registering the tests care homes must use staff personal address and home post code.  Do not use the care home post code.  In most cases the e-mail address and mobile number of the person who should receive the test result will be used
  • Please ensure careful input of information to ensure the correct care home ID and all other information is correct.  It is vitally important to ensure all information is correct as the portal does not validate details and we are therefore relying on the accuracy of data input

”Covid-19
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Guidance on individual risk assessment for the workplace

The Scottish Government has developed a risk assessment guidance and tool for staff across all industries which should be used by employers to support staff and line managers to understand and carry out effective risk assessments.

It is relevant to all staff, but will be particularly relevant to those who are returning to work after shielding, those who are returning to normal duties after COVID-19 related restrictions, those who are returning to the workplace after working from home or anyone who has a concern about a particular vulnerability to COVID-19.

The guidance can be found on:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-individual-risk-assessment-for-the-workplace/

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FAQ – Interim guidance on wider use of face masks in Health and Social Care

Professor Fiona McQueen – Chief Nursing Officer – has sent the following letter today (23 July). In this letter she confirms that a new Frequently Asked Question document has been published to support interim guidance on the wider user of face masks and face coverings in health and social care settings.

The guidance and FAQ document can both be found on: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-interim-guidance-on-the-extended-use-of-face-masks-in-hospitals-and-care-homes/

CNO letter on widening the use of facemasks FAQ
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Launch of the Health and Social Care Workforce Wellbeing line – 20 July

The Scottish Government is funding a national mental health wellbeing helpline to support health and social care workers in Scotland. This will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trained practitioners at NHS 24 will offer callers a compassionate and empathic listening service based on the principles of psychological first aid, as well as advice, signposting and onward referral to local services if required.

This support line is available at 0800 111 4191.

For more information please click here.

Health and Social Care Workforce Wellbeing line within NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub
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