Monday last saw the Prime Minister announce the unmasking of England with a bonfire of precautions as July 19th became firmly fixed in the media as Freedom Day. Reaction to these announcements has been interesting. It is hard to imagine that under the ‘cautious’ Hancock that we would have seen the presentation of arguments as advanced by Sajid Javid that ewe have to start to consider coronavirus more like flu and to ‘learn to live with it’. Indeed, in conversations with my colleagues in representative bodies in England there was a real sense of surprise when the PM announced that care homes would be open to all visitors – all of course without a line of Guidance having been issued or decided upon.
In Scotland the extent to which both the 19th as Level 0 and the 9t August will bring about dramatic change to the management of the pandemic is still to be determined. However, it would appear from the comments of the First Minister on Thursday that the continuation of a degree of social distancing and the use of face masks will be highly likely in some contexts.
The small group working on what Level 0 will mean for care homes and then what August 9th will mean continue its work and it is hoped that the coming week Guidance will be issued. Personally, I think we will be in a situation where the optimum will be described but that the criteria for escalation or de-escalation will be key and critical. So, at the risk of being accused of crystal ball gazing I think we are likely to see a continuation of PCR testing and the wearing of masks for staff, a removal of LFTs in the long-term but a likely reduction in the short term to include testing at home. For residents and visitors, I think and hope we will see the removal of social distancing for residents and that visitors will be expected to test at home no more than twice a week. I do not believe we will see the removal of masks for visitors, but this is being much debated.
It is quite clear regardless of the specifics that we need to enhance the extent to which visiting is happening. A survey out last week indicated a sharp drop in admissions to care homes across the UK and a high level of people reticent to go into a care home in part because of Covid fear but significantly because of the fear of not being able to see family and friends.
The following is a summary of some of the main issues in the week that has passed.
Care Home Day Wednesday 14th July
Care Home Day is taking place this coming Wednesday. It is an online event on Twitter with the aim to raise the profile of care homes across Scotland. Given the negative images of care homes in popular media we hope to share good news stories to bust myths about care homes and recognise the vital role they play in supporting and caring for residents.
The theme of Care Home Day is ‘Care Forward’. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, we need to plan and move forward positively, allowing time for restoration, rehabilitation and recovery.
You can help us commemorate the day by sharing any good news stories, resources, projects blogs or an example of an innovative practice that highlights:
- The dedication and professionalism of care home workers
- The achievements of residents
- The innovation of care homes with different ideas or activities in place or planned for the future
- How care homes are valuable and important to society
We are also gathering positive examples of care home visiting to share on the day. If you have something to share, please send this along to c[email protected] before the end of day on Monday 12 July 2021.
Scottish Care encourages care home providers to consider doing some sort of virtual activity on the day between residents, staff, families and the community. If you do decide to take part in any activities, please remember to share them with us on social media.
Please share and get involved on Twitter using the hashtags #carehomeday21 and #careforward21
National Care Home Contract Letter
Following the majority of nurses settling for the pay offer from the Scottish Government, COSLA and Scotland Excel have re-issued the Minute of Variation on the NCHC 2021-22. This reflects the increase in the nurses’ rate of pay at Band 5. We are disappointed – eve if not surprised – that our arguments for an increase in the pay and remuneration of care workers has not been heeded and therefore there is no increase in the NCHC rate for residential care. It goes without saying that both in the Fair Work discussions and this year’s NCHC discussions that we will be stoutly advocating both.
See the letter at https://scottishcare.org/nchc-settlement-letter-30-june-2021/
Mental Welfare Commission.
In discussions with the MWC I have raised concerns which a number of providers have raised re the extent to which IPC arrangements, scrutiny and inspection have led to the diminishing of the human rights of residents. This has been highlighted by the removal of personal and family possessions from individuals and their care room. I believe that this is a clear breach of their rights, is disproportionate and does not achieve the outcome sought, i.e., to reduce infection risk. I have asked the MWC to undertake an investigation of the extent and I hope to hear that they have agreed to do so.
Sustainability Funding
Members will be aware of the letter extending sustainability support until September 2021
The letter https://scottishcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Financial-Support-for-Social-Care-Providers.-Letter-30.06.2021.pdf outlines the nature of this support and a subsequent6 clarification makes clear the removal of the additional payment support for agency staffing which had been part of the `Winter plan and had been due to be removed at the end of March but was continue till the end of June. Details of this and a Q and A can be found at https://scottishcare.org/social-care-provider-sustainability-support-guidance-restrictions-to-staff-movement/ and https://scottishcare.org/financial-sustainability-webinar-questions-answers/
The key section in the main letter states:
‘The arrangements agreed by Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders from 1 July 2021 are.
- Additional costs relating to remobilisation and adhering to public health measures, will continue to be met in line with the Scottish Government guidance and will remain in place until 31 March 2022. This includes:
- additional staffing and non-staffing costs related to the pandemic, and additional costs for pandemic related administration required by care homes as set out in the annex of the guidance. This does not include continued funding for the restriction of staff movement policy.
- The Social Care Staff Support Fund will be extended to 30 September 2021.
- Claims for sustainability funding for PPE will continue to be permitted until at least September 2021. We will continue to review PPE arrangements.
Regarding under occupancy payments in Care homes:
- Under occupancy payments in care homes will be extended until 30 September 2021.
- The criteria set out in section 1 of the guidance will continue to apply.
Regarding non-delivery of care in non-residential settings:
- The national approach to non-delivery of care for non-residential services will continue until 30 September 2021 to allow a transition period for services to remobilise.’
Can I thank Jim Carle and Karen Hedge for all their continued work with other stakeholders on sustainability and all the questions and issues which continually arise from this.
Pandemic update.
As we stated in the last update there is a clear change in focus to managing the harms from Covid rather t seeking to suppress it. This was perhaps evident in the large number of cases we have witnessed. As a result of this we have been very concerned about the sustainability of services and are pleased that it looks as if the Scottish Government will respond by removing – in specifi8c and extreme circumstances where sustainability and service delivery is threatened -m the requirement for social care staff to self-isolate. We anticipate strict governance and oversight around this and the requirement for staff to test daily as a result. As soon as we gain any further information on this, we will of course make it available to members.
In the week that has passed we have also learnt that there is another variant which is causing anxiety. We will all need to keep an eye on the so-called Lamda variant which some studies suggest escapes the vaccines to some extent. I hope that this suspicion is not going to be substantiated.
Publication
‘Time for Change: Conceptualising a National Care Framework’ Report
We are pleased to launch a new report which follows on from ‘Coileanadh’ – the output of phase two of our ‘Collective Care Future programme.’
The report, titled ‘Time for Change: Conceptualising a National Care Framework’ reviews the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care and the findings from ‘Coileanadh’ in the context of the proposal to develop a ‘National Care Service’. We highlight the areas of overlap, as well as the distinctions that can help to overcome the implementation gap and articulate the key requirements involved in creating what we refer to as a ‘National Care Framework’.
The development of a new framework for social care must demonstrate the authentic value of the social care sector to wider society and the report includes key concepts that need to be involved in making the necessary changes. See
https://scottishcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Time-for-Change-Final-Version1.pdf
Thanks to Dr Tara French and Imogen caird for this really excellent publication.
Save the date: Care Tech 4 – 26 & 27 August
Our annual Care Tech event will take place on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th of August. This year we are holding a virtual 2-day event with the opportunity to hear about the latest developments in technology and digital in social care, as well as engage with a range of suppliers. More details and information to follow.
Surgery
Our Surgery this coming Tuesday 13th July will be for be focussed on Care at Home and Housing Support. It will be led by Caroline Deane and myself and is at the usual time of 11.am. These surgeries are now running for 30 mins so please do join us.
Care Inspectorate Census
For those of you who may have missed the last update can I remind you that the Care Inspectorate plans to launch its annual census for a 6-week period from the 16th of July. This will gather the usual data.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will take place (virtually) on Thursday 12th August 2021 at 11:00 am. Papers, joining details etc will be available nearer the time.
Just a reminder that local Branch Chairs are ratified at this meeting. Are you interested in becoming a Scottish Care local Branch Chair? Are you unsure what the role of a Branch Chair is? If you have any questions please contact Stefanie Callaghan [email protected] who can answer any of your questions and put you in touch with the current Branch Chair for your area.
And finally, …
Please join me every Tuesday at 7pm to light a #candleforcare.
I am taking leave at the end of the month and so this fortnightly update will next appear on the 14th August.
Many thanks
Donald
10th July 2021
