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ASC Provider Briefing - 10 November 2023
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing.
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In this edition, Mel Lock, Executive Director Adult Services and Lead Commissioner Adults & Health Somerset Council, writes to you addressing the current financial situation of the Council and the impacts on our services.
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Furthermore, you can find details DHSC Cost Collection Exercise, information on preparing for measles resurgence in England, free Stop Adults Abuse Week 2023 Webinars, form to sign up the Adult Social Care Network event, details about Upcoming LEMs, RCPA's online workshop on Data Security 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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IMPORTANT: A Letter from Mel Lock and Paul Coles
I am writing to you regarding the recent news around the financial situation we are facing at Somerset Council.
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First of all, I want to thank you. I am very grateful for your commitment to caring for our most vulnerable adults and making a real difference to the lives of people in Somerset.
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As you are likely aware, many councils are struggling due to a lack of national government funding in social care coupled with soaring costs and demands, particularly within Children’s and Adults services.
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Latest budget figures show Somerset Council is facing a funding gap of £100m for 2024/25 due in large part to an expected increase of £70m in the cost of adult social care for 2024/25.
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Without immediate action this could lead to Somerset being forced to follow Birmingham and Woking councils by issuing a S114 notice – effectively declaring the council bankrupt. The government will continue to provide statutory funding, even in this situation.
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Executive members have now voted to declare a financial emergency and controls are being put in place across the organisation to limit spending. They also agreed to dispose of commercial investments, and pledged to step up ongoing talks with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
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Somerset’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Dean Ruddle has written to the Minister of State (DHSC), Helen Whatley to seek urgent assistance. In his letter, he outlines the seriousness of the financial situation in Somerset and also nationally, highlighting the need for urgent reform to the social care funding model. You can read this letter, here.
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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. There is no risk of non-payment – we will pay for all services.
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I hope you understand that this situation does mean that we will have to make some tough decisions, so it is more important than ever that every pound spent has a demonstrable positive impact on the lives of the people we collectively serve.
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Therefore, we would like to work with you on making services as efficient and effective as possible – it is vital that we work in close partnership.
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While acknowledging the great work that your organisation delivers, we want to work even more closely with you to collectively address the following objectives:
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- Managing demand: As our demand increases over the winter period and the Somerset System is under pressure, our collective ability to support demand and flow out of our acute hospitals is critical. We need to work together to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and in ways that guarantee the best possible care for people.
- Demonstrating good quality outcomes: We must provide evidence that our joint efforts consistently deliver positive outcomes for people. This includes demonstrating that we are continuously assessing and improving our practices to achieve the best possible standards of safe and effective care.
This is a challenging time for us all, but it does provide a strong mandate for change. By tackling these challenges together, we can reinforce the quality of care provided and demonstrate our shared commitment to achieving the best outcomes for the people in our care.
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We would welcome your input as to how we can make the best possible use of resources, so if you have any suggestions or questions, or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email: commissioningteammailbox@somerset.gov.uk .
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Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
Mel Lock,
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Executive Director Adult Services and Lead Commissioner Adults & Health
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Paul Coles,
Assistant Director ASC Commissioning, Adults & Health Commissioning
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REMINDER: DHSC Cost Collection Exercise
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The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is currently in the process of setting the 2024-2025 rate for NHS-funded Nursing Care (FNC). Given wider inflationary pressures, DHSC are now conducting a further one-off ‘cost collection exercise’ to ensure that they have the most recent and accurate data available when calculating the national rate.
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This ‘cost collection exercise’ is being informed by a one-off cost collection exercise, run via Capacity Tracker.
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In order to access the survey, care providers will need to logon to the Capacity Tracker. Once you have logged in, you should be able to see a direct link to the survey.
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If you are experiencing any difficulties with accessing the survey, please email the FNC inbox at fnc@dhsc.gov.uk.
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Please note that the survey will close at midnight on Wednesday 15 November 2023.
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Thank you for taking the time in completing this survey. Your assistance is gratefully appreciated.
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REMINDER: Preparing for measles resurgence in England
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently published a measles risk assessment which concluded that although the risk of a UK-wide measles epidemic is considered low, a measles outbreak of between 40,000 and 160,000 cases could occur in London, due to sub-optimal uptake of the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in the capital. Evidence also shows that outside of London, there is a high risk of cases linked to overseas travel leading to outbreaks in specific population groups. There has been a steady rise in measles cases this year.
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Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals and young infants. It is also more severe in pregnancy, and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm delivery.
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UKHSA is asking health professionals to note the following:
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Individuals with suspected or known measles:
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- should be isolated immediately on arrival when attending health care settings to reduce the risk of other patients being exposed
- all suspected measles cases should be promptly notified by phone to the local Health Protection Team (HPT) to facilitate timely public health action
- all healthcare workers (including receptionists, ambulance workers etc.) should have satisfactory evidence of protection against measles to protect both themselves and their patients. Satisfactory evidence of protection includes documentation of having received two or more doses of a measles containing vaccine and/or a positive measles IgG antibody test. Occupational Health service should have ready access to up-to-date records to support outbreak response.
- new entrants from abroad and newly registered patients should have their immunisation history checked and missing doses caught up.
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REMINDER: Free Webinars - Stop Adult Abuse Week 2023
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As part of this weeklong campaign, starting Monday 20 November 2023, there will be series of jointly held online workshops that will be free to access for any practitioner working with adults across Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, and Bath & North-East Somerset.
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Monday 12:00-13:00 - What’s My Role in Safeguarding Adults?
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Tuesday 12:00-13:00 - Let’s Start Talking – Taking the Lead on Safeguarding in Your Organisation
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Wednesday 12:00-13:00 - Who Cares for The Carers? Secondary and Vicarious Trauma
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Thursday 12:00-13:00 - Adopting a Trauma Informed approach to Safeguarding Adults
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Friday 12:00-13:00 - Listen, Learn, Lead – Hearing the Voice of Adult
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Booking is now open, please follow the link to book onto these workshops: Book Here
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Adult Social Care Network Event
Our next Adult Social Care Network event will be held on Thursday 30th November 10:00am-12:30pm. At this event we will be showcasing digital technology and innovation in Adult Social Care. Please contact us if you would like to promote a project or piece of work you have been working on by emailing: harriet.bennett@swahsn.com / nikki.taylor@swahsn.com
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Events
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LEM Agenda
- 2:00pm Lucy Champion – I&PC update
- 2:15pm Gemma Beasley – residential and nursing homes - where are we going and what do we want to do,
- 3:00pm Atha and Deb – CSE – keep your home warm presentation.
- 3:30pm Amelia Wood – Contractures guidance
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Please do get in touch if you would like a specific topic, training, guest speaker to attend. The LEMS are a resource for you, our Somerset Care Providers!
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Thursday 30th November, 10.00-11.00hrs via TEAMS
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With the increasing use of digital technology your staff will need access to mobile phones, tablets, and computers to complete their work. What are the pros and cons of allowing staff to use their own devices vs employer provided devices. What should you consider when implementing BYOD.
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REMINDER: Being prepared for CQC inspection seminar
An interactive seminar for services who want to understand the practical ways to be ready for their CQC inspection.
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This full-day facilitated session brings together frontline managers to learn about the step-by-step ways to be ready to evidence that your service meets CQC expectations to achieve a Good or Outstanding rating.
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This seminar is primarily aimed at those less familiar with the CQC inspection process, including newer frontline managers, quality leads and other members of the staff team helping the service to prepare.
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Tuesday 12 December 2023
10:00 - 15:30
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Interactive seminar run on Zoom.
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Upcoming Event and Training Reminders
- Basic Dysphagia Awareness Training 30th November 2023. Details on PEN.
- St Margaret's Hospice - Training for Care Professionals. 30th November, Yeovil, details on PEN.
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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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