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ASC Provider Briefing - 22 December 2023
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing.
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We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
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Please note, we would be going on a break till 5th January 2024, and you will receive the next edition of the briefing in the new year on the 12th.
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Take care, see you on the other side!
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In this edition you can find a Christmas message from Mel Lock, Somerset Council's public consultation for the budget, a success story and funding opportunity for training from Connect Somerset, RCPA membership discount information, leaflets on Patient Transportation from E-Zec, Somerset Partners' Bulletin from Age UK, a piece highlighting the underused services of Somerset Urgent Community Response, updated poster with dates up to Christmas regarding the vaccine walk-in clinics, a survey from Headway Somerset. Along with important funding information about a training programme to meet the medical needs of adults with a learning disability from the Royal College of Physicians, training dates for homecare providers from RCPA, Skills for care training opportunities, as well as the normal event reminders.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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A Message from Mel Lock, Executive Director of Adult Services at Somerset Council
The end of the year is always a good time to look back and reflect on what we’ve achieved. We’ve seen some amazing work from you in 2023, from the launch of the ‘My Time To Care’ carer recruitment campaign, to Care Home, Dom Care providers and support living providers receiving ‘Outstanding’ in their CQC inspections, and more. You’ve had fun too and I have no doubt that many of you are enjoying festive activities with your residents this week.
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Those are just a few examples of an excellent year of care and support in Somerset, which I know that all of you reading this have worked tirelessly to deliver. For some of you, that care will also include working over Christmas. For that, and everything else you do, I want to express my sincerest thanks on behalf of everyone in Somerset. I know I say this every year, but each year it becomes clearer that the care you deliver is truly amazing.
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I know that many of you will be worried about the uncertainty that is posed by the financial emergency that the Council announced last month. We understand that this news may be worrying and want to take this opportunity to reassure you that you will continue to be paid for contracts we have with you and any set up in the following period. As you know, all support for eligible adults is statutory and there is no risk of non-payment – we will pay for all services. In November, Paul Coles and I wrote a letter to you all which has more detail. Please see here: Letter from Mel and Paul
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Somerset Council has been standing on the national stage to lobby central Government.
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- Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Dean Ruddle, sent a letter to Health and Social Care Minister Helen Whately where he asked for urgent assistance in securing additional funding for adult social care.
- Council Leader, Councillor Bill Revans joined 32 other leaders from all political parties in the County Councils Network, in writing to Michael Gove asking for a national solution to the national funding problems of adult social care and local government.
- Councillor Revans and I have also been vocal about the need for long-term funding for social care in the local and national news, being featured in the Somerset County Gazette, BBC Points West and BBC Politics West, The Guardian and BBC Radio Four amongst others.
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You have my word that we will continue to call for better, fairer, and more long-term funding for social care.
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Thank you once again for another year of excellent work in what I believe is the best and most important job in the world. By caring for others, you make a real difference to people’s lives, and the work you do is meaningful, important, and hugely valued. And for those who will be working over Christmas, I hope you will find some time with your own families and loved ones.
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A Merry Christmas to you all, thank you.
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Please click here to watch a festive message from Somerset Adult Social Care.
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Thank you to our colleagues and carers, paid and unpaid, who help care for Somerset this Christmas. Merry Christmas from all of us at Somerset Council.
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REMINDER: Message for all colleagues- Public consultation launches on our budget
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Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on its budget, offering residents and businesses the chance to voice their thoughts as the authority faces a financial emergency and is a follow up on the announcement made in November.
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In November, the Council’s Executive declared a financial emergency with an in-year overspend for 2023/24 of £27m and a projected budget gap for 2024/25 of £100m.
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To close the gap and balance the budget next year a series of service reductions, efficiency savings, and increases to fees and charges, including Council Tax, will need to be considered.
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This alone will not close the budget gap and plans to fundamentally change the council's systems and processes to streamline its operations will need to speed up to reduce the size of the council in future.
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The consultation highlights several discretionary services which could be redesigned, reduced or even stopped.
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The budget consultation opened on 11 December and will close on 22 January 2024.
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Stories from Connect Somerset
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#LearnForLove - Online learning worth £100 available for all Somerset Residents
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This is our Connect Somerset universal parenting offer, #LearnForLove – free courses (worth £100) available to all Somerset residents. Find more details on the poster here: #LearnForLove funding.
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RCPA Membership Offer: 10% discount on your first year
The RCPA is the Somerset-wide member association for providers of health and social care and support. It was established in 1981 by a small group of care provider organisations to provide support and advice to other provider organisations across the County.
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Special Offer: If you join by the end of January 2024 then you will receive a 10% discount on your first year of membership
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As an RCPA member you will benefit from:
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- Comprehensive range of policies and procedures for Home Care, Care Homes and Supported Living
- Discounted tickets to the Annual Conference
- Regular member calls & e-bulletins - access to the member forum, discussion and sharing of good practice
- Preferential rates on DBS and other employment checks
- Access to the Workforce Development Fund
- Opportunities to meet, collaborate and lobby lead stakeholders in the sector; e.g. Somerset Council, Somerset ICB, NHS Trusts, CQC
These are just some of the benefits and a full list can be provided on request. If you would like further information or would like to join the RCPA then please email admin@rcpa.org.uk
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Reminder: E-zec HUB information leaflets
It was brought to our attention that not all our subscribers had proper documentation or information relating to Patient Transfers. As an update, please find attached a collection of leaflets, policy documents and checklists from E-zec.
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Simon Maddock from E-zec will also be attending the 6th of February 2024 LEM at 3pm to talk about their services and demonstrate them as part of the agenda.
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Help with urgent care at home for Somerset patients - within two hours of a referral.
It provides a two-hour urgent assessment at home (including care homes) for patients, who without urgent assessment and follow-on treatment would be at risk hospital admission.
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For more information on how the service works please watch this video.
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Somerset Urgent Community Response are open 7 days per week 8am – 8pm. They will come out within two hours of receiving a referral from your GP, 111, 999, your care home or your pendant alarm response service. When asked, please say you would like to be referred to Somerset Urgent Community Response Service.
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REMINDER: Flu and Covid-19 vaccines walk-in clinics across Somerset
Find out where the latest walk-ins are in Somerset for the Autumn/Winter 2023 COVID-19 vaccine programme at this link:
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You are eligible if you are employed:
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- by a registered residential care or nursing home
- by a registered domiciliary care provider
- by a voluntary managed hospice provider
- through direct payments or personal health budgets
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If you're a social care worker who is eligible to have a flu vaccine on the NHS, you do not need to present your ID at a pharmacy.
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REMINDER: Headway Somerset Survey
At Headway Somerset, we feel it is important to hear from those affected to help us shape services, raise awareness and train others. We have designed this survey to gather information of people's experiences in Somerset, with the hope that our findings will help improve individual’s experiences in the future.
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*If you feel you need support to complete this survey, please contact our head office on 01823 618519, where someone will be able to assist you through the questions. We can also provide a paper version if required.
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Closing date Friday 19th January 2024
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Events
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DEADLINE TODAY: Training programme to meet the medical needs of adults with a learning disability
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Health Education England (HEE) commissioned the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to undertake the development of a training programme to meet the medical needs of adults with a learning disability. The training programme has been developed and will be delivered with the input of experts by experience. Successful completion of two 30 credit modules will result in a post graduate certificate in Medical Practice in Adult Learning Disability through Edge Hill University.
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RCPA Data Security Workshops – New Free E-Learning
Better Security, Better Care have developed new data protection and cyber security eLearning for social care providers. Join RCPA’s Project Delivery Officer Dan for an introduction to the training, how to access the training and what to expect from the training. Dan Plummer will be hosting the e-learning workshops in January; please see dates below:
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Being Prepared for CQC Inspection Seminar
Tuesday 23 January 2024
10:00 - 15:30
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An interactive seminar for services who want to understand the practical ways to be ready for their CQC inspection.
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- why inspection is important
- CQC standards and legislation
- CQC monitoring and inspection process, including ratings
- involving others in the inspection process
- the importance of quality assurance
- evidencing that you meet CQC standards
- latest insight into CQC priorities.
- Gain an understanding of successful approaches to being ready for the CQC inspector calls and visits.
- Learn to map out how your service can prepare your staff team for CQC inspection.
- Know what you will be expected to evidence and how to demonstrate your service meets or exceed what the CQC expect.
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Upcoming Event and Training Reminders
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Please see below the dates and links to Eventbrite to book on.
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Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
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Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
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Somerset Provider Briefing
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Rachel Caunce, Care Provider Support Lead
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