News for Care Providers

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This page shows the latest news and developments pertinent to social care providers within the North Yorkshire and York area. This include updates around guidance and best practice, opportunities that providers can take advantage of including around workforce and training, as well updates from local services and good news from across our care sector. All providers from across the area receive a weekly Partners in Care Bulletin summarising news and developments relevant to them, and stories that remain current are listed below for providers to refer to. To view the full back catalogue of the Partners in Care Weekly Bulletin please follow this link.

20 March 2023- Care Homes COVID-19 Admissions- Update for Providers

The Community Infection Prevention Control Team have put together an update for providers shared at this weeks Care Connected, providing guidance for admitting residents during a COVID-19 outbreak. This covers the expectations around testing on discharge, and guidance on the risk assessment and the need to take account of factors including size of outbreak, care environment and uptake of booster vaccinations. The guidance for providers is that:

The registered manager can accept the admission, providing the risk assessment indicates it is safe to do so.
Care home providers must be able to refuse admissions where they feel they cannot provide safe care and they must not be put under undue pressure

For further information on queries please call 01423 557341 or email: infectionprevention.control@nhs.net

20 March 2023- New Study to Examine Asymptomatic Testing of Care Home Staff for COVID-19

NHS Test and Trace is carrying out a study called VIVALDI-CT to examine the health impact of asymptomatic testing of care home staff for COVID-19. The aim is to make sure future testing policies protect the sector from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. University College London are looking to recruit 280 care homes for the study where staff will either be asked to take regular lateral flow device tests or simply follow the testing guidance in place at the time. Those interested in participating in this study, please contact: cctu.vivaldi@ucl.ac.uk

13 March 2023- World Oral Health Day 2023: 20 March 2023

This Monday marks World Oral Health Day which is a great opportunity across North Yorkshire and York to reflect on the importance on supporting good oral health for those in our care. Mouth care is a vital part of the personal care we deliver across our sector, and helps an individual to retain dignity, to speak and smile, allow to eat a range of foods, and minimise pain and infections. Did you also know there are links between poor oral health and other health related conditions such as diabetes and pneumonia? If someone in our care is unable to clean their mouth themselves, and offer advice and support to maintain good oral health.

This a great opportunity for providers to:

Share ideas and best practice what you are doing with other providers.
Raise awareness of good oral care including through resources and training for your teams linking to national NICE guidance
Attend a webinar on Thursday 23 March 3.00-4.00 showcasing the findings from CQC's latest "Smiling Matters" report.
Test your knowledge and take our oral health quiz with your teams? (Don't miss out on the chance to enter our oral health prize draw).
If you are feeling extra creative you could even create your own display, activity or event within your setting.

For further details of how to get involved in World Oral Health Day please follow this link or contact sam.varo@nhs.net

13 March 2023- Test Your Knowledge- Take Our Oral Health Quiz for a Chance to Enter Our Prize Draw!

As well as being great fun, a quiz is great opportunity to understand your teams knowledge of oral health and identify where any further learning would be helpful. We've put together a quick 10 question quiz that you and your colleagues can take part in together. For one lucky provider we're offering a chance to win an oral health resource pack full of useful equipment, resources and ideas you can take away and use in your service plus the chance to have a dedicated oral health training session delivered for you. Don't miss your chance to enter! All you need to do is.

Take part in the quiz at any point before Friday 24 March. Make sure to take a picture of your team taking part! We can share these and show how providers across North Yorkshire and York are supporting good quality oral healthcare.
Send your photo to sam.varo@nhs.net and we will enter you into our draw.

13 March 2023- Spring 2023 COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has confirmed further detail on the Spring 2023 COVID-19 booster programme, advising that an extra booster vaccine dose in spring 2023 should be offered, as a precautionary measure to:

Adults aged 75 years and over
Residents in a care home for older adults
Individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed

The press release can be accessed through this link. Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine around 6 months after their previous dose and further operational details for the programme in due course.

13 March 2023- Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Awards- Nominate Your Team!

The Chief Nurse Awards are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution made by social care staff, and celebrate those who go above and beyond in their work, provide outstanding care, commitment and inspiration to colleagues. As well as being able to nominate individual staff members for a gold and silver award, there is now also the chance to nominate your team! The criteria for the new team award is:

Recognising creative, innovative and effective team approaches.
Demonstrates high level of performance, capability and commitment that goes beyond what’s expected.
Demonstrates commitment to users of services through outstanding person-centred care which is recognised and supported by family, friends, or colleagues.

Further information on the award including the nomination criteria can be found through this link. We would encourage providers to have a think about staff meet these criteria and deserve recognition. We're happy to support with any nominations, and if you submit an application please copy us in so we can also celebrate the outstanding work undertaken everyday by care staff in our area.

13 March 2023- Care Connected- Your Provider Forum: Launching 05 April

From Wednesday 05 April we are excited to invite all care providers and partner organisations from across North Yorkshire and York to join us at Care Connected- our re-launched provider forum designed to help you access the updates relevant to you and your teams from across health and social care in one single place. North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB have come together to collaboratively run the new forum which is designed to bring you the latest guidance changes and updates both locally and nationally, quality improvement initiatives, market updates, public health information, workforce and learning development opportunities, your chance to ask questions and meet with fellow providers and much more!

Care Connected will take place every two weeks starting from Wednesday 05 April from 10.30-11.30 through Microsoft Teams. Make sure you set a recurring reminder in your calendars to join us! Joining details will be send ahead of each meeting.

The new group is shaped around our providers, and we want to continue to hear your voice on what you want to see at Care Connected including agenda items and questions you would like answering. Further information can be found through this link.

13 March 2023- A Guide to What to do After Someone has Died- Practical Advice and Support

St Catherine's Hospice have a produced a usual resource can be used by care staff as well as families on the practical steps to be taken after someone has died. practical steps that need to be taken after someone has died. This includes what to expect around verification and certification of death, funeral planning, access to bereavement benefit and which organisations to inform.

13 March 2023- React To Resources

A reminder that as there are a wide range of training and quality improvement resources available through the "React To.." module. This is in addition to the React to Red and React to Falls programmes for which support continues to also be available through our ICB Team. Other modules available include:

React to Deterioration
React to Quality Improvement
React to Home Rounds
React to Frailty
React to Moisture
React to Infection
React to Malnutrition and Hydration
React to Dementia
React to Feet

06 March 2023- International Nutrition and Hydration Week 2023

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 March marks this year's International Nutrition and Hydration Week, which gives us the opportunity highlight, celebrate provision excellence and innovation in how our care providers across North Yorkshire and York are supporting the nutrition and hydration of those in their care. We all know malnutrition and dehydration can severely impact our residents and service users, including through an increased risk of falls, pressure ulcers, decreased cognition and risk of infection. Further information on how to take part in the week can be found through this link, which includes how we are encouraging providers to:

Share and celebrate how your team are working to promote nutrition and hydration for those in your care
Get creative and organise your own event, activity or display to promote the importance of good nutritional and fluid intake. Or take part in the national "Global Tea Party"
Take part in our Improving Hydration in Care Providers quality importance programme- Designed to help support providers reduce UTI's and other associated conditions
Access resources to support the care you provide such as the "React to Malnutrition and Dehydration".

We would love to hear what you get up to and share with fellow providers. For further information please contact sam.varo@nhs.net

06 March 2023- Legacy Nursing Mentor for Social Care

Band 6 £33,706 to £40,588 per annum, pro-rata for part time
12 Month Fixed Term Contract. Up to 37.5 hours per week- Monday to Friday
Flexible working opportunities, Full Time, Part Time, Job-Share Considered

Do you want a rewarding opportunity that makes the most of your experience? Do you want to inspire the next generation newly qualified Registered Nurses?

Legacy Nurse Mentors are experienced nurses, usually in late career, who provide coaching, mentoring and pastoral support to nurses who are at the start of their careers or who are returning to practice. You will be helping newly qualified or returning to practice nursing workforce in adult residential nursing homes across the North Yorkshire and York area by imparting your knowledge, skills and experience through coaching and supporting them in the early stages of their career. You will be able to work flexibly within residential and nursing homes across North Yorkshire and York to mentor and coach colleagues as well as work from home.

This role will be key in supporting newly qualified colleagues to stay and stay well. You will need to be confident in building relationships and collaborating with others. You will be providing coaching and mentoring, and we will provide training for someone with the right skills and behaviours for this role. You will demonstrate empathy and patience, be passionate about your profession and be able to provide pastoral support to others. We can all reflect on the importance of Mentors and role models in our own careers, and this is an opportunity to have that kind of influence on the incoming generation as they set out on a career in Social Care. The post will be hosted by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.

For further information, and to apply for this position please click this link. If you would like a discussion regarding this post please email Nichola.Greenwood1@nhs.net. The deadline for applications is Sunday 12 March.

06 March 2023- ENRICH- Enabling Research in Care Homes

ENRICH has been set up by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the largest funder of research in the UK. Improving the lives of older people living in care homes is a major UK government priority. In 2015 the ENRICH ‘Research Ready Care Homes Network’ was set up to carry out research with care homes. In the Yorkshire and Humber, there are currently over 100 homes signed up and we are looking for further sites to sign up for the network.

What are the benefits of signing up to ENRICH?

Signing up to the network can help you:

Take part in research projects which can potentially benefit your staff team and residents.
Enable you and your staff to learn about research that can contribute to better care for residents.
Receive information on best practice, research and training.
Have a named link person (your Engagement Officer) to research in Yorkshire and Humber.
Attend conferences chaired by expert speakers.
Promote your home through the promotional materials we develop such as blogs, newsletter and videos.

What would your participation involve?

Joining the network is free. If you decide you would like to sign up to the ENRICH ‘Research Ready Care Home Network’ we would ask that you:

Get in touch with your local ENRICH Facilitator Paul Atkin and/or Engagement Officer Tom Smith/Helen Permain (Contact details below).
Complete the online application forms to provide the ENRICH team with some basic information about your home (e.g. size, registration and type of residents).
Consider taking part in research (However, joining the network does not mean that you are obliged to take part in research). You are able to choose the research that is most important to you and your residents.
Display materials such as posters and leaflets in your home.

If you would like to learn more about the ENRICH Research Ready Care Home network then visit www.enrich.nihr.ac.uk

A great video recorded by Lizzie Hancock (Manager of Fulford Nursing Home in York) discussing the benefits of research in care homes can be found through this link.

If you would like to hear more about ENRICH and how we could work with your home, please contact Tom Smith (ART Engagement Officer – Vale of York) tom.smith@nihr.ac.uk (07790771440) or email the ENRICH team on yhs-tr.enrichyh@nhs.net

06 March 2023- New Medication Guides for People Working in Adult Social Care

Earlier this month the Department of Health and Social Care published three new adult social care medicines best practice guides. These cover:

Each guide looks at best practice in managing and recording medicines and can be downloaded from their website using the links above.

06 March 2023- Access New Qualifications Through DN Colleges Group- Open to All Health and Care Staff Across Humber and North Yorkshire

Through our partnership with DN Colleges, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB are offering you the opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications via a bespoke online learning portal. This exciting offer is fully funded and open to all health, care and VCSE staff and volunteers across our system.

The qualifications available are at academic levels 1, 2 and 3 and cover a diverse range of subjects relevant to clinical and non-clinical roles. There are also qualifications around quality improvement, leadership, equality and diversity and personal wellbeing.

To be eligible to enrol, staff and volunteers must be employed (paid or unpaid) by one of the HNY’s health, social care (including independent sector) or voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. You do not have to be NHS staff to access the training.

Please note, there are no restrictions on the number of level 1 or 2 qualifications an individual member of staff or volunteer can complete. Level 3 qualifications are available to those who do not presently hold a level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) qualification.

Paper-based course materials and additional learning support is available for some courses. Please request this via the enquiry form here. Click here to find out more about the courses available and how to enrol.

06 March 2023- Humber Generalist School- Applications Open for North Yorkshire and York

Following the successful launch of a initial two cohorts, The Humber Generalist School are inviting expressions of interest for staff involved in health and social care across the Humber (in any role, including non-clinical) to take part in the third cohort of this exciting, year-long trailblazer project of professional development, which is part of a national programme to enhance generalist skills. The programme is offered by Health Education England and is designed to fit around normal work with an estimated commitment of four hours per week. There will be expert talks, workshops, and access to on-line and physical learning resources. Participants can learn at their own pace and in their own way, and additionally will be offered the opportunity to spend time outside their usual working environment by learning on ‘field trips’. Having completed the programme, you will (among others) be able to:

Champion a person-centred approach to care that invites and supports personalisation, empowerment and shared decision making.
Work effectively and flexibly within and across different disciplines, contexts, and systems to ensure high quality, coordinated care for individuals with multiple long-term conditions and/or complex needs; this will entail complex decision making while managing risk and uncertainty.
Access, critically appraise and champion innovations and digital health technologies to promote and transform sustainable improvements in practice; this means acting as a catalyst for change within, across and beyond healthcare systems. 
Communicate complex information in a range of ways, for a range of purposes, to diverse audiences; this includes with individuals (patients, carers, other healthcare professionals), communities and agencies involved in health and social care. 
Lead collaboratively, inclusively, and compassionately, creating shared purpose that enables multi-professional teams to deliver the best possible health outcomes for the individuals and populations they serve.

Further information can be found through this link or by contacting hyp-tr.enhance.yorkshire@nhs.net

06 March 2023- Bowel Cancer- Help Us, Help You

In a new ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, NHS England is encouraging people who have been sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit to complete the test. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and detecting it at the earliest stage makes you up to nine times more likely to be successfully treated. But, almost one third of people who were sent an NHS bowel cancer screening test in England last year did not go on to complete it.

Just a tiny sample detects signs of cancer before you notice anything wrong. The test is simple to complete and can be done in the privacy of your own bathroom. Anyone aged 60 to 74, who lives in England and is registered with a GP practice will be sent a test in the post automatically, every two years. NHS England is also extending this to include all 50-to-59-year-olds by 2025.

So, the NHS is asking anyone who is sent a bowel cancer screening test to remember to complete it. Put it by the loo. Don’t put it off. Your next poo could save your life. More information here.

27 February 2023- Could you Be a Future Coach/Mentor?- Free places available on ILM 5 Coaching and Mentoring Programme

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is currently seeking applications from colleagues who are interested in attaining an ILM Level 5 qualification in coaching and mentoring and becoming an active member of the Humber and North Yorkshire Coaching Network. There will be two cohorts (beginning in March and May) and both will run virtually, are free to access and will result in a formal qualification.

The partnership is particularly keen to receive applications from colleagues working in health and care outside the NHS (social care, local authorities, voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors). You can find out more by booking your place on a free information webinar taking place on:

Monday 27 March 2023, 12.30-1.30pm
Tuesday 28 March 2023, 12.30-1.30pm

Further information is available through this link and the closing date for applications is 12noon on Friday 17 March 2023.

27 February 2023- Security in the Workforce- Cooking Oil Theft

We have been alerted to another incident of potential cooking oil theft. Please ensure you report your concerns to the police via 101

Security in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility and helps to keep yourself, your colleagues and those you support safe. Here are ways you can reduce risk at your service.

Checking the official ID of visitors
Visitors must sign a Visitors Book
Visitors must have a confirmed appointment prior to arriving
Reviewing your Confidentiality Policy to ensure it is current and up to date
Checking with your Manager when an unexpected visitor arrives
Challenging any unknown visitors/persons who arrive to your premises, checking who they are, who they are visiting and the reason for their visit
Checking the Visitors ID Badge against their photograph and the name they provide you, If necessary contact their employer to check their identity is correct

If you are unsure about a visitor, you should politely deny them access until you are able to confirm their identity and business. In some cases where a visitor refuses to leave or may become aggressive, you may need to request assistance from the police.

27 February 2023- F.A.S.T- Face, Arms, Speech, Time

NHS England’s Act FAST stroke campaign launched earlier this month. The campaign raises awareness of the Act F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym which provides a memorable way of identifying the most common signs of a stroke and emphasises the importance of acting quickly by calling 999. The campaign has a wide range of resources available which can be used in your care settings in supporting your staff.

27 February 2023- LeDeR: Learning from the Lives and Deaths of People with Learning Disability or Autism

Providers are encouraged to please read this summary of the LeDeR Programme, which anybody with a diagnosed learning disability or autism is referred into when they die. The overall aim of the LeDeR programme is to help reduce premature mortality and health inequalities in this population, through driving improvement in their lives and in the care that they receive. People with a learning disability and / or autism experience significant health inequality when compared to the rest of the population. Learning and themes are collated locally and workstreams are discussed via Local Steering Group, an all local themes and learning are fed up into the national LeDeR system.

To discuss LeDeR further- please contact Jennifer.MacNeill@nhs.net

27 February 2023- Right Care, Right Person- Updated Briefing

In close collaboration with health and social care partners across North Yorkshire and the City of York, North Yorkshire Police have introduced a significant ‘Right Care, Right Person’ model designed to ensure that when there are concerns for a person’s welfare linked to mental health, medical or social care issues, the right person with the right skills, training and experience will respond.

In recent years, police officers have often been required to offer support to those who really require specialist medical or psychological care. Under ‘Right Care, Right Person’, our officers will no longer be taking on this responsibility when it is not appropriate to do so. Indeed, police intervention can have a detrimental effect on vulnerable patients who feel they are being criminalised because of their health or social care issues.

The care will now be provided by the agency that can best meet the individual’s needs. Similar schemes have already been successfully adopted by forces in Humberside, Lincolnshire, Hampshire and The Metropolitan Police.

A presentation was given at last weeks Care Connected which gives more context to the changes and how these might apply in practice.

To view the full briefing- please follow this link.

13 February 2023- Humber and North Yorkshire Financial Wellbeing Newsletter

The February edition of the Humber and North Yorkshire Financial Wellbeing Newsletter can be found through this link, and this month includes:

Tips on to reduce our food bills and make ingredients stretch further
Latest discounts available to health and care staff
Links to government help for households, cost of living advice and benefits calculator
Access to free period products.

22 February 2023- National PPE Portal- Check Your Supplies

The Government recently announced the decision to extend the central, free provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the health and care sector for protection against COVID-19, by up to one year, to March 2024 or until stocks run out. This means the scheme will continue to provide protection for frontline staff, as part of the Government’s Living with COVID-19 strategy. There's also a list of dates showing when supplies of individual PPE items are likely to end- Click here review the dates.

Please check the list as some may run out prior to March 2024 and you will need to purchase your own.

22 February 2023- New Digital Leadership Programme

The Digital leadership programme is a national development between Skills for Care and the National Care Forum for both new and experienced managers of adult social care services. The learning programme will support managers to gain the underpinning skills and knowledge of digital leadership that can be practically applied when implementing technology in a care service.

To find out more about the programme please follow this link.

22 February 2023- Peppy Menopause Support

Are you struggling with your Menopause symptoms? Do you feel like you’re not getting the help or support you need? If your answer to these questions is yes, then the Peppy Health Menopause support app might be for you. We have partnered with Peppy Health and have a number of app licences available to health, care and local authority staff and volunteers across Humber and North Yorkshire free of charge. There is an amazing range of support available within the app including

One to one consultation with expert practitioners
Symptom management advice and treatment guidance
Live broadcast events with expert speakers
Tailored mental wellbeing support
Peer support groups
General wellbeing and life-stages advice and guidance

To watch our short information video that gives you the information you need about the Peppy Health app and how to apply for a licence please follow this link . If after watching the video you would like some further information please email us at hny.wellbeing@nhs.net. If you think the Peppy health app is for you please follow this link Peppy Application (office.com) to complete our application form and we will aim to get back to you at the earliest opportunity.

22 February 2023- Are you Finding it Difficult to Afford Period Products?

According to recent surveys women and/or people who have periods spend on average £11 per month on period products or an equivalent of £128 per year. With the current squeeze on household incomes this may feel like a significant amount of money. Did you know that there are sustainable, reusable period products available and by switching to these types of products that last on average 5-10 years you could see savings of between £640-£1280 over this time period. Reusable products are also a more sustainable option to disposable products that make an important contribution to reducing the amount of plastic waste in our oceans and overall having less impact on our planet.

Here at Humber and North Yorkshire (HNY) Health and Care Partnership we have partnered with Hey Girls, an award-winning period product social enterprise, to purchase a stock of reusable period products including Period Cups and reusable Period Pads that are now available free to staff/ volunteers in health and care across HNY. If you would like some more information on these products including how they are used we have included both of the HEY Girls webpage links below where you can find lots of helpful information particularly in the FAQs tab.

Cup Combo Kit | Hey Girls | Period Product Social Enterprise

Reusable Day Pads | Hey Girls | Period Product Social Enterprise

If you would like us to provide you with either one of these products free of charge or would like more information on these products, please email us at hny.wellbeing@nhs.net. All emails will be treated with confidentiality.

13 February 2023- T34 Syringe Driver Request- Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby Nursing Homes

If you have not done so already please can you return any old CME T34 syringe drivers to Medical Engineering Department at Scarborough Hospital either via post or transport. Please check all drawers and cupboards for any that you may have stored away. They are identified by having T34 on the label. The newer syringe drivers models provided have BD Bodyguard T on the them.

The address to return devices to is: Medical Engineering Department, Scarborough Hospital, Woodlands Drive, Scarborough, YO12 6QL. For any further queries please contact: shaun.bryan1@nhs.net

13 February 2023- Disposal of Expired Test Kits

NHS Test and Tace have identified a number of COVID-19 test kits being registered are past their expiry date. They ask that you check the expiry dates of your test stock, both onsite and test kits staff have at home, before use and dispose of any expired kits. If you require replacements for any expired test kits, please place an order on the ordering portal or contact 119 who will be able to assist you.

If you have one carton of expired test kits these can be disposed of in general household rubbish or as clinical waste. The outer box the test kits came in can be recycled subject to your local recycling arrangements.

If there is more than one carton providers must inform their waste contractor that they are disposing of unused test kits. This is a requirement of the Duty of Care regulations, as part of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to adequately describe their waste.

Please note Test and Trace do not collect expired test kits.

13 February 2022- New Video and Guide to Accessing the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training e-learning

Skills for Care have partnered with Health Education England to produce an instructional video and guide to explain how social care providers can access the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training e-learning for healthcare (elfh) e-learning programme. The video and guide can be accessed through the Oliver McGowan webpage.

06 February 2023- Indoor Air Quality in Care Homes

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how important ventilation is as part of infection prevention and control, especially for respiratory infections. Good ventilation reduces infection risks and can improve the health and well-being of people living, visiting or working in care homes. Skills for Care have published a recent article highlighting how care homes can Understand and manage the ventilation in their settings. This builds on research from the European Respiratory Journal exploring ventilation respiratory health in elderly residents living in nursing homes in Europe.

The AFRI-c study is run by the University of Bristol is investigating the clinical and cost effectiveness of portable HEPA air filters in reducing symptomatic winter respiratory infections (including COVID-19) in residents of older people's care homes with 20 or more residents. The study are looking for participants for 2023- and are available to offer payments of £4000 for intervention homes and £3000 for control care homes. Further information including eligibility criteria, FAQ and the expression of interest form can be found through this link.

06 February 2022- February Health and Wellbeing Sessions

Time to Talk Day takes place 2 February 2023-and is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Talking about mental health isn’t aways easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives. Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership are running a number of sessions throughout February focused on mental health which are accessible to also health and social care staff from across the region. Sessions include:

Supporting Mental Health at Work
Where are Memories, Emotions and Trauma Really Stored in the Body
Managing your Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health in Menopause

To book any of these sessions please visit our booking page

06 February 2023- End of Life Care eLearning for Care Workers and Nurses Working in Care

It's vital those supporting people at the end of their life are suitably trained so they can confidently provide high-quality, personalised care. The End of Life Care for All eLearning programme (e-ELCA) includes specialist learning pathways for care workers and for nurses working in care homes. Modules include advanced care planning, communication skills and spiritual care amongst other topics essential to consider at the end of somebody’s life. To access the e-learning please follow this link.

06 February 2023- First Steps Into Research Programme

The First Steps into Research Programme is a great opportunity for someone to enhance the skills, gain the motivation, and develop the knowledge needed to create a pathway to a career in health and social care research. The programme run by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) aims to help participants:

Understand research through observing it in practice
Have a greater understanding of research and the development of knowledge in how to pursue a future career in research
Have an awareness of international ethical, scientific and practical standards to which research is conducted.
Gain an awareness of the NIHR, what we do, and how we support research
Further your personal development

Applications are now open with further information on the programme available through this link, and cohort dates can be found below:

NHS (non-medics)- Applications close in May and the course will commence in September
Local authority, Charity Sector and Social Care- Applications close in October and course will commence in January

30 January 2023- Registered Manager Networks for Scarborough and Selby Areas

Would you be interested in having your own Registered Manager’s network within the Scarborough and Selby areas ?

Skills for Care are keen to hear from Registered Managers in these areas who would be willing to chair network meetings providing a safe space and peer support. A network chairs development programme is also available. Some administrative support and financial assistance is available, from Skills for Care, to support each network.

If you would interested and would like more information please contact: Angela.Thompson@skillsforcare.org.uk

23 January 2023- Type 2 Diabetes in Shift Works- Research Study

Kings College London are looking hear from any individual with Type 2 diabetes working regular night shifts in a residential or hospital setting to take part in a study designed to shape diet and lifestyle advice for those with Type 2 Diabetes. Participants will be asked to wear a continuous glucose monitoring device for 10 days and record diet and exercise, and will receive a small payment and a health report. For more information please contact shift-diabetes@kcl.ac.uk. A poster than can be displayed in your setting is available through this link.

16 January 2023- Digital Transformation Funding for Care Homes- DREAMS

The DREaMS (Digital Records Enabling and Management Support) Team is our local a single point of contact to support or signpost care homes to the most appropriate resources to help you make best use of technology. Funding is available through the team for Digital Social Care Records (DSCR) or sensor-based falls technology.

To be eligible for the Digital Transformation funding, you must be applying for a system from one of the NHS assured suppliers for DSCR- further information on this list can be found through this link. A decision tree is available to aid your choice in supplier to ensure they offer what is needed for your specific home. This funding is only for new systems and cannot be awarded retrospectively. For sensor-based falls the NHS have not yet produced an assured supplier list, therefore when applying for funding please obtain 3 different quotes from companies as you may be requested to provide this information during the approval process.

Upon completion of the application form please provide a copy of the relevant quote for which you are requesting funding. The funding will cover the implementation costs of a DSCR or sensor-based falls technology, the ongoing costs will have to be picked up by yourselves. Further information please contact - dreamsteam@eastriding.gov.uk to discuss further and for an application form. (If you are applying for more than one home, please submit a separate application for each home).

16 January 2023- Continence Training Opportunities (Vale of York Providers)

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have arranged a number of bowel simulation and catheterisation simulation trainings during 2023 which are open to care home nurses from within the Vale of York area. Further information on these can be found through this link. Places are limited to anybody interested is encouraged to contact clare.markwell@york.nhs.uk to book your place.

10 January 2023- Made with Care Recruitment Campaign

The Made With Care campaign is underway to encourage people with caring values and behaviours to join the adult social care sector. As part of this campaign, employers can access helpful resources like application and advert templates, promotional images and a jobs board to advertise your latest opportunities. To view the resources- please follow this link.

10 January 2023- Skills for Care Apprenticeship Employer Support Pack

In partnership with the Department for Education, Skills for Care's new apprenticeship employer support pack is now available. This guide shows you the progression routes into an adult social care career, and how apprenticeships can be used to support professional development and a long-term career in the sector. To view the guide please follow this link.

03 January 2023- Reminder of Suspecting Potential Influenza Outbreaks in Care Homes

Influenza is currently circulating in the community, with an increased number of cases and outbreaks seen in care homes in recent weeks. A Poster is available showing when providers should contact the Health Protection Team for suspected outbreaks of influenza. We would encourage providers please report early so that testing can be arranged if you become aware of a possible outbreak. Your local Health Protection team can be contacted on phe.yorkshirehumber@nhs.net or 0113 386 0300

03 January 2023: Del-COrS Study- Development of Core Outcome Sets for Effectiveness Trials of Interventions to Prevent and/or Treat Delirium in Long Term Care

The University of Bradford are to hear from health and care professionals, survivors of delirium and family members to complete a survey, which will inform the study aim to develop international consensus on a core outcome set for research studies which assess interventions to prevent or treat delirium. A core outcome set (COS) is an agreed set of outcomes that all such studies should seek to measure. If all future interventions for delirium report these outcomes, it makes it easier to compare their effectiveness, and combine data for similar interventions to identify benefits and harms that are otherwise too small to be detected. This supports clinical staff to more rapidly identify the best interventions for the condition.

Further information on the study is available below- and to get involved please contact:grussell2@bradford.ac.uk

03 January 2022- Think Sepsis

A reminder that while high temperatures above 37.8 can be an indicator for potential sepsis, it's also important to be vigilant of low temperatures below 36 which can also be an indicator for severe infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction (sometimes called septicaemia or blood positioning) to an infection when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs. It's important to trust your own instincts when you suspect someone in your care may have sepsis. Should you have any concerns about an individual please don't hesitate to contact Immedicare for those services who have the service in place, or 999 for those who don't.

There is guidance on red flag symptoms to look for available on the national NHS website including guidance around sepsis for those with learning disabilities.

19 December 2022- Merry Christmas to all Our Care Providers and Partner Organisations

As this is the last bulletin of the year, we would like to take this opportunity to wish a very Merry Christmas to all you and your teams, as well as all your families and those in your care. Thank you to you all for continuing to work tirelessly, and going above and beyond to keep some of the most vulnerable in our communities safe and well despite continued difficult conditions. This year we launched our "Quality Assurance and Improvement Team" with the aim of working collaboratively between health and social care to provide coordinated and joined support to all our care providers across the whole York and North Yorkshire, and have enjoyed working with you and your teams to compliment the proactive and innovative work that you are already doing every day to support great quality of care for those who you support. We've seen the power of how we can come together this year through initiatives such as the Care Provider Olympics where over 600 individuals took part to promote physical activity across the sector, and our recent Achieving Excellence Conference which highlighted new and innovative ways of working and opportunities around hydration, nutrition, digital care and the role of the nurse in social care to name just a few.

We hope you all get a chance to have some well-deserved rest at some point over the Christmas period, and wish you all the best for a happy and safe new year heading into 2023.

19 December 2022- Respiratory Infection Guidance for Providers

During the winter months we are seeing an increase in respiratory infections including outbreaks of Covid-19, Influenza and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Unfortunately, many of these are similar in symptoms so differentiating between them can be difficult. When a person with a respiratory spread infection coughs or sneezes, millions of viral or bacterial particles are released from the mouth or nose in respiratory droplets. These droplets travel in the air, contaminating people and surfaces in their path.

Precautions to take include:

Consider isolating affected individuals
PPE to be worn when in close contact with individuals with respiratory symptoms will include Type IIR fluid-repellent surgical mask, eye protection such as a visor, plastic apron and gloves.
Dispose of used PPE in the appropriate waste stream
Respiratory and cough hygiene (‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’) using disposable tissues
Good hand hygiene
Regular cleaning and decontamination of the environment
Open windows to help ventilate areas with fresh air to disperse virus particles
Do not attend work if you feel unwell
Encourage vaccinations for staff and service users

For the latest Covid-19 guidance for adult social care please follow this link.

On Behalf of All the Members of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Team

19 December 2022- Share Your Thoughts About Working in Social Care

North Yorkshire County Council, in conjunction with the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board are running a short survey among the social care workforce to learn more about your experiences of working in social care. We want to understand what is good and we need to do more of, and what things we need to address – things that would make your experience of working in social care better.

Your responses will shape the workforce plans for the North Yorkshire region but will have a really local impact – we’re a diverse county and a diverse group of people, so what works for some, won’t work for others – we’re looking for big ideas, small ideas and everything in between. Click here to access the survey.

19 December 2022- Care Relationships Between Support Staff and Adults with a Learning Disability Research Study

Participants being sought for this study between run by the University of Kent to understand care relationships and inform care practice and staff and resident outcomes. They want to hear the thoughts of staff on what makes their relationships with people they support positive , how positive relationships are established, the Impact they have on people's lives and what factors can facilitate or hinder good care relationships.

The study is looking to hear from paid care or support workers and personal assistants working in adult learning disability long-term social care residential settings (EG: care home, supported living, homecare). There will be a short online questionnaire prior to an online or in person interview lasting approximately 1hr 15 minutes. For more information please follow this link or contact: gm518@kent.ac.uk

13 December 2022- Achieving Excellence in Health and Social Care Conference: Slides Now Available

Thank you again to all who joining us at the Achieving Excellence Conference in York last week, and contributing to a really collaborative and positive day bringing together nearly 200 attendees from across the sector, and highlighting some of the amazing practices and joint work taking place within North Yorkshire and York. It was great to meet so many of you face to face and to discuss how what we can do together drive quality improvement and support those in our care. The links to all the slides from the event can now be found through this now through our website- which includes presentations on the opportunities for nursing within social care, the role of the care home lead GP, pilots around hydration, nutrition and insulin administration, advance care planning, digital opportunities for care providers, the use of Immedicare in care homes and public health developments among others.

13 December 2022- Oral Health in Care Home Residents Presentation and Slides- Resources for Staff

Maureen Hole presented an in depth and informative session at a recent Care Connected forum providing guidance on how to assist the oral health of residents in your care, which may be helpful to show or cascade to staff. The session covers why good oral health in important, how to prevent disease, how to assess the mouth and plan and record mouth care, how to support with delivering daily care (including for those with a learning disability, dementia or at end of life), denture care and accessing dental support. The recording of the session and slides along with a number of other resources you may find useful are available through our website.

For any further queries please contact maureen.hole@nhs.net

13 December 2022- Launch of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training eLearning

The training has been co-produced, trialled with over 8300 health and care staff and independently evaluated. The training is now a requirement for all health and social care staff.

The eLearning package is the first part of training, which has now been launched.
It is being delivered by eLearning for healthcare (elfh)
Visit the Health Education England website to find out more and find answers to FAQs.

Enquiries on The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism should be directed to ommtprogramme@hee.nhs.uk

05 December 2022- Christine Burnett- BBC Make a Difference Award Winner

We were delighted to hear that Christine Burnett who has worked at Ebor Court in York for the last 10 years, has recently won the BBC Make a Difference Award in the Carer Category. The award for which she was nominated by her friends and colleagues, recognised Christine for her outstanding contribution in improving the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis. Further information can be found through this link- and a big congratulations to Christine for being recognised for this accolade. Award like demonstrate the sheer amount of passion in our sector, and the number of people who go above and beyond to support those in their care.

If you have any good news stories from your service we would love to share them- Please contact sam.varo@nhs.net to include in a future bulletin.

05 December 2022- Helping to Improve Access to Cancer Screening for People with a Learning Disability

Marie Kotzur from the University of Glasgow is looking for paid and family carers in England to take part in an interview. The researchers are offering participants a gift card of £30 as a thank you for giving their time.

The study aims to understand the experience of screening for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers among people with learning disabilities, how their access to screening can be improved, and what could make cancer screening easier for people with learning disabilities. The researchers are keen to speak with carers who support women with learning disabilities aged 25 to 75 years and/or men with learning disabilities aged 60-75 years. The interview can be by telephone or video call and the interviews will last between 30 and 60 minutes.

To find out more please follow this link. If you would like to ask any questions about the study, or if you are interested in taking part, please call or text Marie on 07432828458 or by email: marie.kotzur@glasgow.ac.uk.

05 December 2022- Developing a Minimum Dataset for Homecare (DACHA-DOM)

Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University and the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York are conducting a survey of homecare providers. They're asking how homecare data is collected, recorded and stored, together with the barriers faced. The project is focused on understanding the feasibility of implementing a ‘minimum data set in homecare’, meaning a system of standardized data collection that could be used to evaluate the support needs of local populations over time, inform resource allocation and monitor quality. You can learn more in their their recent Care Management Matters column.

To complete the survey, please follow this link.

05 December 2022- Made with Care Campaign

The Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) Made with Care campaign has returned to highlight the range of opportunities to build a career in adult social care and help others live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. A suite of easy-to-use campaign materials are available for you to help advertising job opportunities locally. They feature imagery and messaging from the national adverts, but you can add your own logo and details too. To find out more please follow this link.

05 December 2022- New NICE Advocacy Guidance

This new guidance covers advocacy for people using health and social care services in all adult settings (including young people under 18 using adult services). It describes how to commission and deliver effective advocacy, as well as identifying who should be offered advocacy (including who is legally entitled to it). It also covers monitoring and improving advocacy services, and training and skills for advocates and practitioners. To view the new guidance please follow this link.

28 North Yorkshire 2022- Controlled Drug Incident Reporting

Incidents and concerns involving controlled drugs should be reported to the Local Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO). This is in addition to your usual incident reporting processes. Reports to the CDAO are made online at www.cdreporting.co.uk.

If you have not registered with the website previously you will need to register if you need to report a CD incident. The website is being upgraded on the 1 December 2022 and if you are currently registered you will need to reregister after that date, however you will still be able to see any past reports once you are logged in. Details about the upcoming changes are provided on the CDAO reporting website when you log in. If you have any questions please email karenlepper@nhs.net

28 November 2022- Helping You Stay Well This Winter

If you’re worried about your health, don’t delay, your NHS wants to see you – help us help you get the care you need this winter. Winter conditions can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions such as heart or kidney disease, COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), asthma or diabetes. A leaflet produced by the NHS with important information that can help you stay well this winter can be found through this link, which may be particularly useful to those colleagues visiting who visit residents in their own homes. This covers how to access winter vaccinations, staying warm, accessing prescriptions, keeping active and mental support among others.

A reminder that support and guidance to help with living costs is available from our local authorities, and can be found through the below links:

28 November 2022: NHS Mail- Account Deletion Period Changes

Given recent cyber security risks, nationally changes have made to reduce the time NHS Mail accounts can be inactive to maximise protection against malicious attacks. Accounts will now be classed as inactive if they haven't been used in the last 30 days, and will be deleted if not used within 60 days. Accounts can still be re-activated by contacting the helpdesk for a further 30 days- but after 90 days they will be permanently be wiped. We would therefore encourage care sector colleagues who have accounts to please continue to log in regularly to ensure you retain access.

28 November 2022- Celebrating our Olympic Champions: Getting Moving to Fight De-Conditioning

Over the last month our team have been touring the area to hand out trophies to our fantastic Olympic champions from the 2022 North Yorkshire and York Care Provider Olympics- to celebrate how their staff and residents valiantly competed against other providers to get active this summer and highlight the health benefits of physical activity for those in our care .It really inspiring to hear from teams how much they enjoyed taking part in the events, and being able to come together to celebrate their success. Photos from the presentations and the competition as a whole, as well our final medal table and recording from the Olympic prizegiving ceremony in September can be found through our website. North Yorkshire County Council have also published an article showcasing how the event captured the imagination of providers across our locality. We're already looking forward to the 2023 running of the competition- which promises to be equally well contested for the care provider Olympic title.

28 November 2022- ENRICH: Enabling Research in Care Homes

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the research arm of the NHS, helps to increase the opportunities for people to take part in health and social care research. The Agile Research Team, funded by the Clinical Research Network Yorkshire & Humber is part of the NIHR. Their objective is to increase opportunities for patients to take part in health and social care research and working alongside you and your home is one way to achieve this. The Agile Research Team is made up of staff from a broad range of backgrounds who all have significant experience in delivering research in a range of settings and across a number of clinical specialisms. Improving the lives and health of people living in care homes is a major priority for the UK government. As a response to this, the NIHR has set up the Enabling Research in Care Homes Network (ENRICH). Please note care homes settings include nursing homes, residential homes, learning disabilities homes and childrens’ homes. There are a number of benefits of joining ENRICH:

● Research gives residents self worth and adds to self esteem

● The well-being of residents is Enriched when you join ENRICH

● Give you care home a voice and be part of shaping the future

● One click can make a difference to you, your home and your staff

‘Since joining ENRICH we have worked on a number of projects large and small. Every study has been positive and the home and our residents benefit from our mission to always look to improve and learn.‘ Elizabeth Hancock MD Fulford Nursing Home

The ENRICH register is free to join by clicking here, and brings together care homes, residents and researchers to support research, by inviting your Care Home to participate in a variety of studies. There is no obligation for you to accept these study invitations unless you find the studies interesting and easy to support. Once registered, the home will be issued with an ENRICH certificate which can be displayed in the your Home setting. The ENRICH membership will help support your CQC inspection rating.

Current Care Home Studies- There are currently a variety of studies looking for support which may interest you, including:

• Defining and Measuring Safety in Older Adult Residential Care Homes

• THE VOICE - Study aims to explore care home staff experiences of providing continence care to older adult care home residents

• Development of core outcome sets for effectiveness trials of interventions to prevent and/or treat delirium

21 November 2022- Access to Winter Vaccination for Social Care Staff

A reminder that all frontline social care staff are eligible for both the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination this winter, and staff are strongly encouraged to take up this offer. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those in your care from serious illness this winter, and strengthen our health and care system against infection. Through this link you can access a set of slides shared at last weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum, which detail how staff across the area can access this winter.

The Askham Bar site in York is now available for walk in appointments, and are able to co-vaccinate those registered with a York GP practice simultaneously with both flu and COVID.19 booster.
CityWide pharmacies across York have opened a number of new vaccination sites including in Clifton, Poppleton, Acomb and Bishopthorpe Road. These sites are open for booked appointments and can also simultaneously vaccinate.
Pharmacies across the area continue to offer the flu vaccination, which can be booked through individual websites.
Information around access in the wider North Yorkshire area including Pickering, Malton, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Northallerton and Scarborough can be found through this link.

Remember to please bring work ID to guarantee you will be accepted for vaccination. There are a series of resources available which can be shared with staff or displayed to support vaccination uptake. Are you struggling to access vaccinations for your staff or need further support? Please for contact sam.varo@nhs.net and we will endeavour to help.

21 November 2022- International Stop the Pressure Day 2022- What is a Pressure Ulcer and Moisture Associated Skin Damage?

Thank you to all those who took part in this year's International Stop the Pressure Day, to raise awareness of the impact pressure damage can cause and how we can work together to prevent it in our services. Sarah Coggon (Tissue Viability Nurse, York Hospital) provided a really comprehensive refresher session at last week's Partners in Care which covered the causes of pressure damage, signs to look out for, categorisations, difference between pressure damage and moisture and how we can prevent and respond to them for those in our care. The slides from this session can be accessed through this link.

21 November 2022- Awareness of Swallowing Difficulties- Training Video for Care Homes

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust's SALT team have produced a video training session on awareness of swallowing difficulties. The team provide the community nursing service across the Scarborough, Ryedale, Filey, Whitby and Pocklington patcj. This 30 minute video is appropriate for carers and registered nurses, and would also be beneficial to kitchen staff and people who are new to care work. The focus is on awareness of swallowing difficulties and the steps prior to diet and fluid modification, and references the a care home swallowing pack. There are plans to make a further video covering diet/fluid modification which will be shared once ready.

21 November 2022- Syringe Driver Training

Further information on upcoming training sessions available to nursing staff across the patch to support in using syringe drivers can be found below.

21 November 2022- Save on your Energy Bills: Special Support for Social Care

A programme has launched to support social care workers, people who draw on care and support, and family carers to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills. Taking Charge offers free interactive webinars and accessible resources, specially tailored to the home-life and working routines of people who work in social care, and the people they support. Created by Community Integrated Care, it draws together expert advice from leading energy organisations and the perspectives of people it supports and their colleagues. For more information please follow this link.

14 November 2022- Courier Fraud Alert for Care Providers

The Economic Crime Unit at North Yorkshire Police have a circulated an alert to providers, following an increase in cases of 'Courier Fraud' specifically targeted at residents of care homes and retirement villages. Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official. Victims are then asked to co-operate in an investigation by attending their bank and withdrawing. It will typically follow one of the below 4 patterns

Bank card expiry: Fraudsters claim to be from the victim’s bank and say their card is no longer valid. They ask for the pin number and then send a “courier” to collect the card before using it for fraudulent purposes.
Purchasing high end items: The suspects pretend to be police officers and ask the victim to help with an undercover operation by purchasing expensive items like watches, jewellery and gold. One the item is bought, the victim will hand over the item to the criminal.
Computer takeover: The fraudster telephones the victim, purporting to be from their internet service provider, saying that they have had an issue with their internet connectivity and they are due compensation.
Counterfeit cash/bank investigation: A person claiming to be a police or banking official informs the victim that they need to help with a banking corruption investigation. The victim is told to withdraw a large amount of money and the cash is picked up later by a courier to “check for fingerprints or to identify counterfeit bank notes”

Providers are asked to be vigilant, and that anyone who receives an unexpected call from someone claiming to be one of these officials should verify they are speaking to someone genuine: hang up, wait five minutes and call back on a number they know is genuine.

14 November 2022- Climbing to New Heights

This week we are sharing the story of Agnes Kaye who is a resident of Hambleton Grange Care Home in Thirsk, who at the age of 98 has recently become the oldest person to complete a 50-foot tree top challenge! Agnes grew up on a farm in Kipling in Scotland, and would climb every tree in the area as a child, and spoke to her care team about the joy she felt when she would reach the top of a tall tree- and how much she wished she could climb a tree once again. The care team took up the challenge to make this possible, got in touch with Carlton Lodge Climbing Centre, who invite Agnes to take on their Tree Climbing Challenge. Upon completing the challenge Agnes was named ‘most spritely and mature person to climb this tree’.

The full story can be found through this link. A big congratulations to Agnes on her amazing achievement, and also to all the team at the home for all their hard work to make this possible. This demonstrates a great example of how our providers across North Yorkshire and York are delivering personalised care to those in their care.

If you have any good news stories from your service we would love to share them- Please contact sam.varo@nhs.net to include in a future bulletin.

14 November 2022- Energy Priority Service for Care Provider and Vulnerable Individuals (Updated with additional information)

Ahead of winter and following recent incidents resulting from storms and burst water mains, we are re-sharing the below links it has to support any care settings are not registered with their utility companies as a priority service/customer. If not registered, when an incident occurs which does not trigger a multi-agency major incident response utility companies use their priority customers information to prioritise a response and not information from other agencies. Therefore, support offered to care settings may be delayed and they would be included in the response to the wider public, which could lead to a lengthy wait before any action is taken. Please ensure you have registered your service as a priority service/customer and make reference to this in your Business Continuity Plans. Links to the main utility providers are:

Information About Priory Service Registers

Services Directory | Northern Powergrid

Yorkshire Water - Priority services register

Priority customers | Northern Gas Networks

Useful information can also be found through this link to support vulnerable individuals living in the community useful information for vulnerable people in the community to join the priority service register. This also has further information on financial relief measures and how to access them– including warm home discount, cold weather discount, winter fuel payment and cost of living relief.

07 November 2022- Good News Story- Selby Friday Fun Club

We've previously shared the amazing work undertaken by Paul Evans (Senior Carer at The Lodge in Hemingbrough, run by Action For Care) in going above and beyond in supporting those in his care both within the home and the wider community. He had been recognised with both an MBE and a Chief Nurse for Adults Social Care Award for his work which has included setting up a deaf hub and supporting community homelessness services as a community champion.

Paul has recently set up a new social club having identified a lack of opportunities in the Selby area for individuals in the community who struggle socially. The new group runs on Friday every other week, and is a chance to play music, socialise and play bingo among a wide range of activities (including recently holding a Halloween disco). The group has been really well attended, and is already a vital local resource to allow people who may not have previously been able to meet with others in a social environment to do so- and key is promoting mental wellbeing.

If you have any good news stories from your service we would love to share them- Please contact sam.varo@nhs.net to include in a future bulletin.

07 November 2022- New Skills for Care Resources to Support Culturally Appropriate Care

Skills for Care has published a set of resources to help anyone involved in the care and support of individuals to have a clearer understanding of culturally appropriate care and what that may mean to individuals they support.

The ‘Culturally appropriate care guide’ covers a broad range of topics that will help you to learn about and be sensitive to people’s cultural identity or heritage. To support the learning within the guide, Skills for Care has also published a series of resources for use in training and development. These cover supporting individuals from ethnic minority groups and backgrounds, stereotyping, and supporting relationships and people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others (LGBTQ+).

To view the resources, please follow this link.

31 October 2022- Funding Available- Implementation of Digital Social Care Records and Sensor-Based Falls Technology (Available to Care Homes)

The Digitising Social Care programme is a place based approach, with funding to be used for delivery and care home digitisation. This funding will support increasing digitisation within social care by enabling the adoption of care technologies that will enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of social care. This is solely for the implementation of new Digital Social Care Records from a supplier on the NHS Assured Supplier List and Sensor-Based Falls Technologies. Ongoing costs will need to be picked up by providers.

In order to be eligible for the funding providers need to engage with the DREaMS Team, if they haven’t already, to establish their current Digital Maturity Level. Providers will then be issued an application form to request funding for a product supplying quotes to ensure validity. There will then be an approval process and upon successful applications the provider will have to sign a contract before release of funding, it has an agreement to ensure an invoice is submitted after implementation. This will prove appropriate spend and will provide transparency and auditable trails of expenditure and outcomes.

For more information and to express an interest please contact: dreamsteam@eastriding.gov.uk

31 October 2022: Hypothermia- Recognising and Prevention

As winter approaches and given the rising costs of energy, we are mindful of the risk the hypothermia can pose to the vulnerable in our communities in the coming months. Please find through this link a set of guidance from NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB which may be helpful to providers in recognising and preventing hypothermia for those in your care. It details the most at risk groups, symptoms to watch out for and how to respond should you suspect some has hypothermia.

31 October 2022- Research to Reduce the Impact of Infection in Care Homes

Care England, University College London and The Outstanding Society have established a new partnership to tackle the problem of infections in care homes and learn lessons from the pandemic. Building on the national VIVALDI study, the project is looking to involve 500-1,500 care homes in England to join research to improve care quality. To find out more please follow this link.

24 October 2022- DHSC Updated Illustrated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guides

The Department of Health and Social Care have updated their illustrated guides for PPE and have published a new version of the visual PPE donning and doffing guide. Illustrated guides now align with the current guidance on PPE outlined in the COVID supplement which has not changed.

17 October 2022- Your Partners in Care Bulletin

From this week the Partners in Care Bulletin will now be shared across all care providers operating across the North Yorkshire and York area. Following structural changes to the NHS across our area and the introduction of Integrated Care Boards (ICB's) to replace CCG's in July, your local teams have agreed to use the bulletin as a central point to allow providers to receive important updates relevant to the sector on behalf of the NHS. As a local health and social care system we are committed to working together to provide joined up support to all our care providers and their staff.

Providers across the former "Vale of York" region have received the bulletin for several years, but we're delighted to now expand to providers across the remainder of North Yorkshire. The bulletin is designed to provide updates around service developments in your local area, changes of guidance, training opportunities, good news from across the sector and other opportunities open to providers. It is very much shaped by our providers, so if there is any content you would like to share in the bulletin then please contact sam.varo@nhs.net

17 October 2022- Continence Product Ordering Process Changes- York and Selby Nursing Homes Only

From 31 October the process will be changing for residents requiring continence products in Nursing Homes in York Selby area. Once staff have a completed screening tool and a decision is made using the Outcomes document that the resident requires pads, you can order these direct via NHS Supplies. You will no longer need to send request to Clare Markwell at Clementhorpe Health Centre. Supporting information on the changes can be found through this link. The process remains unchanged for any other care providers needing to order supplies.

Clare is will be happy to support any nursing home staff needing additional support with this change in process. For any questions or support, please ring SPA on 01904 721200 to leave a message and contact details.

10 October 2022- Testing on Discharge from Hospital Guidance

Following discussion at last week's Partners in Care Forum, we're just re-sharing the current guidance with regard to testing on discharge from hospital.

If an individual tests negative for COVID-19 and has no symptoms of COVID-19 and is being discharged to a care home from a location in the hospital where there was an active outbreak, they should be isolated for 10 days from the date of admission to the care home, regardless of whether their overnight hospital stay was planned (elective) or unplanned. This is to prevent possible introduction of infection into the care home. Information about hospital outbreak status should be provided as part of the discharge process. Individuals who are isolating for this reason and who are able to participate in daily testing may have lateral flow testing from day 5 (counting the day of admission to the care home as day 0). They can end isolation after 2 consecutive negative tests 24 hours apart, or after 10 days’ isolation if they remain asymptomatic.

During isolation, residents should be enabled to receive one visitor at a time (this does not need to be the same visitor throughout the isolation period) and have access to outside space to assist rehabilitation if possible.

03 October 2022- North Yorkshire and York Care Provider Olympics- We Have Our Winners!

On Thursday 22 September we held celebration and achievement ceremony for our care provider Olympics which ran across the summer, to promote physical activity and the associated health benefits for those in care across the region. We heard some amazing stories on how both those in our care as well as staff have risen to the challenge this year, and some outstanding achievements from certain individuals within our sector who have been recognised with a series of awards. We're delighted to confirm our champions for 2022 are:

Older Adults- The Orchards in Northallerton

Younger Adults and LD- Sherbutt Residential and Home Care

Our full medal table including recipients of our achievement awards can be found below, along recordings of the celebration event and our event highlights venue. Thank you to all those who competed and we'll look forward to seeing you all in 2023.

Click Here to View the Full Care Provider Olympic Results

Click Here to View our 2022 Olympic Highlights Video

Click Here to View the Celebration and Awards Event

26 September 2022- Excellence in Collaboration- Dietetic Services and Care Providers

A big congratulations to the York Dietetics Project Team, who were the winner of this year’s Excellence in Collaboration award at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's annual awards- which took place last week. This award recognises a unique collaboration between the Trust's dietetic service and Primary Care Networks in Selby and District, which has radically improved the health of elderly residents as well as reinforcing the vital role of dietetics in improving nutrition. The team under dietician Nikki Sumpter worked with many of the care homes in the area, including Abbey Lea and Westwood who embraced this pilot and also attended the awards to celebrate together. This work supported providers and their staff to increase their knowledge around diets and nutrition, and equipped them to implement different ideas on how to add calories and protein to residents diets. Our Nursing Team were also involved with this pilot and are delighted that the impact it has had on empowering providers has been recognised. Resources used in this pilot have kindly been shared by the dietetics team and are available on our website.

26 September 2022- Worrying About Money- Support Available in York

City of York Council and a wide range of partner organisation have produced a leaflet to signpost York residents to support during the cost of living crisis. To access the leaflet, please follow this link.

12 September 2022- DREaMS Team- Digital Records Enabling and Management Support Team

At last week's Partners in Care, we had an update from the DREaMS Team who are currently working with care homes in area to support improving digital maturity, and support them in accessing funding streams around internet connectivity, sensor based falls technology and digital social care. The team will be expanding to support the domiciliary sector in year 2 of operations and are currently scoping out this work, with support voluntary and wider providers from year 3. The slides from their update can be found through this link.

To contact the team please email dreamsteam@eastriding.gov.uk or call 01482 396622

05 September 2022- Financial Wellbeing Newsletter and Social Care Discounts

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has produced a newsletter focusing on financial support during the cost of living crisis. Much of the information in the newsletter is equally relevant to colleagues working across social care, therefore it has kindly been agreed by the Trust for us to share this with providers. The newsletter includes details local and national support covering council tax, energy and utility costs, household goods and food bank among others. Please note the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) detailed on Page 25 is a Trust employee specific programme and is not available to colleagues working within Social Care.

This supplements a previously shared list of offers put together by the Trust and Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, will further current offers and discounts available to social care staff. This includes a reminder around Blue Light Card which is currently available at £4.99 covering a 2 year period.

We would encourage providers to please these resources share widely amongst your staff.

05 September 2022- Hawthorn House Baking Stars

Residents and staff from Hawthorn House in Strensall came together last weekend to organise a brilliant bake sale in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. As well as making some delicious looking cakes, the team raised a fantastic £250 for a great cause. Congratulations to all the home for hosting such a successful event.

If you have any good news stories from your service we would love to share them- Please contact sam.varo@nhs.net to include in a future bulletin.

30 August- Suspension of Routine Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing in Adult Social Care

Please find through this link, new guidance coming into effect from Wednesday 31 August. At this time, whilst prevalence of COVID-19 is relatively low, staff should no longer conduct regular asymptomatic staff testing. Some staff without COVID-19 symptoms may be asked to undertake testing as part of rapid response testing for care homes and high-risk extra care and supported living services, or as part of outbreak testing in care homes. At this time, it is not recommended that staff should conduct any further asymptomatic testing beyond these situations.

30 August 2022- Capacity Tracker- COVID and Flu Vaccination Questions

As you will be aware, whilst COVID-19 and flu continues to circulate this Winter, the Capacity Tracker will continue to be the system used at both national and local level to understand uptake of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations and support providers accordingly. As such, the questions to record this information will change as below from 05 September. As always you're support in completing these questions is greatly appreciated, so we can identify any providers needing further assistance to access vaccinations.

Care Homes: (Applying to Residents, Directly Employed Staff and Agency/Bank)

Number known to have received a full primary course of the COVID vaccination
Number known to have received an Autumn booster (the Autumn Booster will refer ONLY to those delivered on or after 5 September 2022)
Number known to have received this season's flu vaccination. Please restrict flu vaccine responses to the those that are delivered between September 2022 and March 2023 (inclusive)

Home Care: Providers will now be asked to provide the same information (as above) about staff only.

A full primary course does not include COVID boosters. For most people, a full primary course is defined as 2 doses of COVID vaccination. For a small number of people, however, including people who were vaccinated abroad, people who have received a single-dose vaccination such as Janssen, or people who are severely immunosuppressed, a full primary course may mean a different number of doses.

19 August 2022- Overseas Recruitment in Social Care

The Local Government Association (LGA) has made available a bitesize guide to overseas recruitment for social care providers in England. The guide sets out the benefits and walks employers through the resources needed, legal requirements, cost, how long it takes and how to ensure successful recruitment. It also draws on real life examples from providers.

19 August 2022- Fire Safety and Disability Guidance

The Home Office have published updated guidance on fire safety tips for disabled people and those who care for them. It provides practical advice and advice to protect those with disabilities from the risk of fire.

Fire Safety for People with Sight, Hearing or Mobility Issues
Fire Safety for People with Sight, Hearing or Mobility Issues (Accessible Version)
Fire Safety for People with Sight, Hearing or Mobility Issues (Full Publication)

15 August 2022- Support in Accessing Digital Funding- Wi-Fi Improvements in Care Homes

There are a series of sources of funding which care homes are able to access to boost Wi-Fi within their setting. Homes across North Yorkshire and York will be in the process of being contact by the DREAMS Team from East Riding Council, who as well as offering a general digital maturity survey and providing advice and signposting, are also supporting homes in accessing these pots of funding where needed. DREAMS can be contact directly by calling 01482 396622 or emailing dreamsteam@eastiridng.gov.uk

F4IT are the service provider for the Samsung Tablet scheme currently able to care homes, and are able to conduct a Wi-Fi review of homes. This will then be fed back into the DREAMS team who are supporting homes in obtaining additional quotes in order to access funding. To find more about the F4IT offer please view this flyer.

Please note this support is not yet available to domiciliary or supported living services, but it is anticipated this will be extended going forward.

15 August 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 9 Update and Celebration Ceremony

We've got lots of fantastic stories to share from the final week of our summer Olympic challenge, which includes updates from our teams at Abbey Lea, Carentan House, Ashfield, Osborne House, Omega Oak Barn and Hilltop Manor. Our Olympic update bulletin covers whole home baton relays, exceptional knitting and weightlifting challenges, sunflower growing and celebrating residents stories of the role sport has played in their lives among much more.

The results are now from all teams and to celebrate the amazing achievements and creativity shown by our providers in promoting physical activity, we have decided to hold a celebration event on Thursday 22 September 3:30-4:00 for everybody to come together and receive the final results collectively. This will take place virtually through Zoom and all individuals on our mailing list and the teams who take part will receive an invite, which will also be open to any service users or families who to join. For any queries please contact sam.varo@nhs.net

15 August 2022- Congratulations Care Preference

The team from Care Preference domiciliary service recently braved and completed the Yorkshire tough mudder to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.13 managers and carers completed the arduous 10km 20 obstacle course, and raised over £2000 in the process. They managed to raise a whopping £2,250 for the MND association, a cause very close to all their hearts. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and managed to get over all the obstacles as a team! Well done to all the team for successfully taking on such a gruelling challenge for a great cause

09 August 2022-UKHA Information for Care Homes in Relation to COVID-19

As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) would like to thank providers for working with them and your local authority throughout the pandemic to implement control measures to limit spread. Please find a document through this link which provides an update on advice and signposting to guidance for when a care home experiences cases of Covid-19. The Yorkshire & Humber Health Protection Team (HPT) is part of UKHSA and works with Local Authorities to support care homes in regard to Health Protection matters.

09 August 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 8 Update

We've now completed the final week of our summer Olympic challenge to support physical activity and reconditioning, which drew to a close this Sunday. However the great stories of how our providers have embraced our challenge with great determination and creativity continue to come through, as highlighted in this week's Olympic Update which includes updates from New Lodge, Larpool Lane, Rawcliffe Manor, 5 Whitby Road and Harlington House among others who took their turn to get moving and active this summer. Stay tuned for a final update this week from our remaining providers, and also for us to confirm the final results and our overall winners!

Thursday 01 August 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 7 Update

To allow those who had to postpone their events due to last week's heatwave and outbreaks to reschedule, we have set a new closing date for our Olympic competition of Sunday 07 August. We'll very much look forward to seeing what our remaining teams get up to in their efforts to go for gold, and to announcing the final medal tables and our overall Olympic champions.

This week's Olympic Update shows more examples of how providers from across our area have taken up our challenge with such enthusiasm and creativity, to support those in their care in getting have to fight deconditioning this summer: This includes:

A focus on the personal meaning and enjoyment that physical activity can have to residents in our care- Featuring the story of Trevor from The Orchards in Northallerton, who was a national speedway racer when younger.
A very creative Hawaiian themed event from Harrogate Home Support
How United Response brought together all service users and staff from their York LD services together for a full day of sport and activity.
Alne Hall taking part in our challenge, with a variety of events designed to be inclusive to all in their care.
How Holgate House supported their residents in choosing how they wanted to take part in their Olympic event.

25 July 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 6 Update

We continue to be incredibly impressed by dedication and creativity of our competing care providers in planning their Olympic events, and supporting those in their care in getting active this summer to fight de-conditioning. 17 of our 29 providers have now held their events, and submitted their scores for our provider medal table and eagerly awaiting the final results. Some providers have been forced to postpone their plans due to the heatwave, so we have extended our competition by a couple of weeks to allow them to rearrange.

This week's Olympic Update shows just some of the incredible ideas that our providers have had to meet the different needs and abilities of all their residents. This includes:

Fulford Nursing Home's Olympic event- Which included a scent based challenge to include bed bound residents.
William Wilberforce in Pocklington's action packed day, with wheelchair race where staff assisted the competing residents.
Sherbutt House and Home Care who are competing in our younger adult category, and their residents make very impressive paper plate discus's to take part in the competition.
Sycamore House in Bainbridge who included a game of croquet and water pistol based game in their event.

01 August 2022- United Response- Walking for Men's Mental Health

United Response in York are taking up a challenge of walking the 57 miles of the Cleveland Way this September between Saltburn and Helmsley. This is part of wider challenge to raise money for and support men's mental health within the organisation, which they recognise particularly over the pandemic has deteriorated with a rise in depression, anxiety and social isolation. As an area they want to change this, and a group (some of who have suffered with mental ill health in the past) have got together explore starting a men’s wellness group for their colleagues.

Planning the project has been a team effort and has given the team something to focus on at times when work has been hard. They have had social get togethers to train for their big hike, which has presented opportunities to talk about what they want their new group to look like. Once their walking challenge is complete, they will then focus on getting the group established.

Well done and good luck to all the team for taking up this challenge, and raising awareness of this issue. If you would like more information please follow this link, where there is also an opportunity to donate and sponsor the team. They have raised a fantastic £655 so far.

01 August 2022- New App Launched to Support Health Care and Emergency Staff Across Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership

A fantastic new app has launched for health care and emergency service staff across North and North East Lincolnshire, Humber, East Riding and North Yorkshire. Our People is part of and builds on the existing support provided across the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and Humber, Coast and Vale Resilience Hub (Soon to become Humber and North Yorkshire Resilience Hub). It’s designed to maintain and improve the wellbeing and physical and mental health of staff by providing a range of self-help resources to people ‘on the go’.

Centred around the 5 ways to wellbeing (Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give), the app is designed to make looking after your wellbeing fun and interactive and provides you with the tools to build healthy, positive habits into your everyday lives. A series of weekly posts provide you with wellbeing advice and support; and our self-help catalogue, including a range of materials and podcasts, gives you the tools at your fingertips to help manage your wellbeing positively.

For anyone needing more in-depth mental health support, you can also refer into the Hub to receive additional support and advice. Take the next steps to maintain and support your wellbeing and download Our People through iOS or Google Play

25 July 2022- Funded Training for Adult Social Care- Courses Availability

Please find through this link a couple of slides kindly shared with us by Skills for Care, which has details of funded training available to adult social care through funding by themselves, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and Health Education England. The courses available are detailed below, and can be booked by emailing: info@uniquetrainingsolutions.co.uk

Diabetes – 3 hour
Drug, Alcohol and Substance Misuse – 4 hours
Dysphagia – 3 hours
Epilepsy with the range of medication – 4 hours
Well-being for those being supported – 3 hours
Moving and positioning competency assessor – 2 day
Care and Support Planning - 6 hours
Falls and Fragility – 3 hours
Dementia Care – 3 hours
Medication for Managers – 6 hours
Catheter Care – 3 Hours
Stoma Care – 3 hours
COPD – 3 hours

25 July 2022- Respect Model and Resources

North Yorkshire County Council have developed a series of excellent resources to support respect in our everyday work, which may also be of benefit for providers to use as they feel appropriate. The resources available through this bundle include:

18 July 2022- Medication Storage: Temperature Guidance

Just a note to ask that you keep an extra eye on the medication storage as well and consider monitoring several times a day so that you can take action if needed. Aim to keep places where medication is stored at or below 25°C, including when medication is stored in people's bedrooms.

Some tips are to help keep rooms cool (for both people and medication) are

Use air conditioning if available
If there are windows in the room, shade them to keep the sun out of the room. DHSC advice recommends shading from the outside or closing pale coloured curtains.
Keep any windows in the room mainly closed when the temperature outside is hotter than the temperature inside to keep the cooler air in. (Open them for short periods every hour or so to ventilate the room.)
Open windows when it is cooler outside than inside. But remember to be aware of security and safety as well!
Reduce any unnecessary use of electrical equipment as these often generate heat. If necessary, consider relocating the medication fridge temporarily or even turn it off if you don’t have any items requiring fridge storage.

Further information on creating cooler rooms and supporting residents in other ways during a heatwave can be found in DHSC guidance.

If necessary (and possible) consider moving the medication to a room that is cooler. For example, medication being kept people's rooms might need to be moved to a temperature - controlled medication room during periods of extreme heat. If you do move the medication, make sure all staff know where the medication is and that it is not accessible to unauthorised people.

As always, if you notice any issues with medication that makes you think the medication may not be fit for use, for example, capsules split or creams separated out please contact your pharmacist for advice.

18 July 2022- Red Warning of Extreme Heat Affecting Yorkshire & Humber

The Met Office is forecasting exceptionally high temperatures covering Monday and Tuesday and has issued both AMBER and RED warnings (see below). Here are some useful links to the Government’s Heatwave Plan for England and some relevant documents regarding the support of vulnerable people during a heatwave.

We would also suggest that you test your Business Continuity Plan to ensure it is robust and remains fit for purpose. Below are some further documents and guidance you may find useful.

18 July 2022-Portable Fan Usage Guidance

The Community Infection and Prevention Team have produced a set of guidance for usage of portable fans, which have been linked to cross-infection in some health and social care settings. Dust and debris can naturally accumulate within the internal body of the blades of fans and this provides a reservoir for microorganisms. Each use and reuse should be risk assessed. Decontamination and maintenance schedules must be in place. Portable fans should not be used during airborne outbreaks of infection or when a person is known or suspected to have an infection, e.g. Clostridioides difficile, MRSA, COVID-19, Norovirus, Influenza.

18 July 2022- Working Together to Reduce UTI Prescribing

At this weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum, we had a present from Susan Broughton around work taking place to reduce antibiotic prescribing for UTI's and the "Do Not Dip" project. You may see changes in how your GP Practice responds to a UTI building on this work. Further information can be found through the presentation slides, but key messages include:

If antibiotics are used when they are not really required bacteria can develop resistance. There were an estimated 55,000 antibiotic resistant blood stream infections in the UK in 2020, which can easily spread in care settings. They can also cause harm where used inappropriately, with links to stomach/bowel upside and infections such as C. difficile or MRSA.
Many older people have bacteria in their urine anyway (around 50% of over 65's and an almost 100% with catheters). A dipstick will detect this and test positive, even if it isn't causing an infection. Practices have been asked to diagnose UTIs based on clinical signs and symptoms in the over 65s and those with catheters rather than using a dipstick test.
We can work together to reduce inappropriate UTI prescribing, including by giving any antibiotics exactly as prescribed, and not doing a dipstick test or dropping in a sample unless requested by a clinician.

For any questions on this project- Please contact: susanbroughton1@nhs.net

18 July 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 5 Update

We're into the last couple of weeks of our exciting summer campaign to support providers in getting in their care active and moving to fight de-conditioning. We've been really impressed by how creatively all the providers have been interpreting the challenge, and feedback has been that the competition has really caught the imagination and been enjoyed by staff and residents a like from our 29 competing providers.

We continue to share our Olympic Update to share how our providers are getting on, as well as ideas and tips to support physical activity. This week's bulletin includes:

Updates from our brilliant teams at Kirkwood Hall in Leyburn, and Riccall House Care Home in Selby about how they took part in our Olympic challenge.
More news from Silver Birches in Filey, who's day included staff versus resident rounders and the story of 104 year old resident Winnie who took part in all their activities.
The links between physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Introducing NHS How Fit Today- A physical wellbeing resource tailored to all ages and abilities.

11 July 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 4 Update

The halfway point has just been passed in our summer campaign to support providers in getting in their care active and moving to fight de-conditioning. Several providers have already hosted really creative Olympic style events in their services, and remaining teams are all currently taking part are working had to plan their activities and compete for our overall care provider Olympic title! We now have a fantastic 28 providers from across younger and older adults taking part.

We continue to share our Olympic Update to share how our providers are getting on, as well as ideas and tips to support physical activity. This week's bulletin includes:

How our teams from Silver Birches in Filey and the Bottom Community Whitby took part in our Olympic challenge
An article from Alzheimer's UK discussing the positive impact exercise can have on reducing the risk of dementia.
Information on the North Yorkshire Sport website, which has links to a wide range of sporting opportunities accessible to both service users and staff.

11 July 2022- Congratulations Sherbutt House- National Champions: Family Business of the Year Awards

Sherbutt Residential and Home Care Services are extremely proud to be announced as the People’s Choice both Yorkshire Region and National Champions at the Family Business of the Year Awards. This comes off the back of winning the family business of the year award at the York Press Business Awards.

Darren Woodhead of Sherbutt Residential and Home Care Services said “This is a fantastic achievement and we couldn’t be more pleased for the team. Everyone works extremely hard to give the best possible support to everyone that uses our services, supporting people to have the very best life they can and doing things they enjoy. We pride ourselves that we are a family business and that we reflect our own family values within the service. We would like to thank everyone for their votes and their continued support for our business"

11 July 2022- Check Care Staff’s Data Security and Protection Competency: New Tools

In order to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), care providers need to demonstrate that their staff have been trained and are competent in data security and protection.

Better Security, Better Care has produced a manager’s discussion tool, and a frontline care workers’ assessment quiz to help with awareness raising and assessment. These resources can be used flexible to support completion of the DSPT. For more information please follow this link.

11 July 2022- Wellbeing Challenges and Advice for Domiciliary Care Workers

Working in a domiciliary care role can bring its own specific challenges for staff wellbeing. Skills for Care have this week shared an article, looking at what you can do to look after the wellbeing of your team of domiciliary workers. To read this article please follow this link.

05 July 2022- Diabetes Information and Support for Care Staff

A set of useful resources have been produced by Trend Diabetes (a national network of diabetes networks), which may be useful to care staff across our providers in supporting those with dementia. These can be accessed through the below links- Please note injections guidance would be for registered nurses only.

27 June 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 2 Update

We have just completed week two of our summer campaign to support providers to get those in their care active and moving to fight de-conditioning. The first providers have now starting hold their events, and teams across the 23 young adults and older adults services currently taking part are working had to plan their activities and compete for our overall care provider Olympic title! We continue to share our Olympic Update to share how our providers are getting on, as well as ideas and tips to support physical activity. This week's bulletin includes:

How the team at Abbey Lea in Barlby made sure everybody was included in their Olympic event, including activities for those residents in bed.
Updates from Neville House in Skipton who hosted a wide range of activities for their residents.
New from other providers on the plans they have for their event- and compete for the trophies!
Active ageing projects currently taking place through York St John University.
Support those with learning disabilities through physical activity.

The campaign will run from Monday 13 June and Friday 24 July, and providers are able to host their event on any day of their choosing during that period. There's still plenty of time to enter your provider and challenges for the overall trophies! For information please follow this link which includes our competitor guide, and for queries or to enter please contact sam.varo@nhs.net.

27 June 2022- Elwyn's Story

You may recently have seen in York Press the story of Elwyn, a 98 year old resident at Connaught Court in York who is thought to be the UK's oldest working tailor. Elwyn has been a tailor since the age of the 13 and the home are supporting him to continue to do so, with space set aside for him which he says keeps him "active and occupied, it gives me a focus, provides challenges and keeps my brain working". Recently Elwyn marked National Sewing Machine Day earlier in June, by creating customised waistcoats for his fellow residents and others in the local community, donating all his earnings to charities. The full story can be found through this link.

20 June 2022- Health Service Update- Introduction of Integrated Care Systems

From 01 July new legislation will come into place, meaning the NHS Vale of York CCG and all other CCG's nationally will cease to exist and their responsibilities transferred to Integrated Care Systems (ICS's) covering a wider geographical footprint. For our area this will be the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. These changes have been introduced to promote collaborative working between the NHS, local councils, the voluntary and community sector, other health and care and public sector organisations and our local communities. Joint working has been underpinned by a shared belief that we are more successful in bringing about change and improving the lives of our local populations if we work together.

Please be assured that these changes will not impact the support available through the Quality and Nursing team, which will remain available to all providers within our area and staff will be continuing in their posts. Teams and functions across the CCG will continue to operate at local "place" level for both North Yorkshire and York.

Further information can be found through a set of slides shown at last weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum, and also through our website.

20 June 2022- Care Home and Supported Living Olympics- Week 1 Update

This week marks the start of our exciting monthly long campaign to support care providers in getting residents active this summer to fight de-conditioning, as well as compete with each other for our overall care provider Olympic title! There are 18 providers currently signed up from all across the area and from younger and older adults care, who are working hard to put their events together. We continue to share our Olympic Update to share how our providers are getting on, as well as ideas and tips to support physical activity. This week's bulletin includes:

How service users and staff from Sherbutt House in Pocklington are being supported to increase movement and activity through weekly sessions at the local leisure centre. Volunteers help deliver a wide range of fun activities including playing tennis, football, and basketball among others.
The latest providers who have registered to take part in the Olympics- Including New Lodge, Riccall House, Sherbutt House, William Wilberforce Care Home, Carentan House and United Response York.
How to find activity groups for both staff and service users, for services in the City of York area.

20 June 2022-Congratulations Paul Evans MBE

We have previously shared the story of Paul, who works as a Senior Carer at The Lodge Care Home in Hemingbrough. Paul has already received the Silver Award in the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Awards, and we're delighted has now been awarded an MBE in the recent Platinum Jubilee honours for his service to social care and nursing. As well as his work within the home supporting those with learning disabilities throughout, he also acts as a communication champion within the community which has included setting up a deaf hub and supporting homelessness services. Congratulations to Paul on your achievement

30 May 2022-Keeping Hydrated at 5 Whitby Road

Congratulations to all the team at 5 Whitby Road Care Home in Pickering, who are celebrating achieving their bronze target ensuring all fluid balance charts accurate and complete for all residents assessed as being at high risk of dehydration. Fab work by super star hydration champions Jodie-Lea and Kirsty. Well done ladies and keep up the great work

The home are taking part in the CCG's Improving Hydration in Care Home Residents programme, further details of the programme can be found through this link or contact h.degnan1@nhs.net.

30 May 2022- Introducing the DREaMS Team

The DREaMS Team have been established hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, but covering across Humber and North Yorkshire to work with and support providers in digital care initiatives. Many care homes will have also received an introductory call from them, but they can also be contacted direct and provide advice and signposting on a variety of issues including digital care records, Wi-Fi/connectivity, DSPT and NHS Mail among others. To contact the team you can call 01482 396622 or email dreamsteam@eastiridng.gov.uk.

23 May 2022- Heatwave Planning and Hydration Prompts

With summer approaching, it has been confirmed that the Heatwave Plan for England for 2022 will remain unchanged from last year. The plan also includes some useful resources aimed specifically at the aged Care sector, and please also find reminder about wearing PPE in warmer weather through this link.

The CCG's Improving Hydration Programme is also available to support any providers who would find it valuable in their setting. Keeping hydrated is more important than ever at this time of year, so please find a set of useful pocket cards through this link to support in spotting the signs of dehydration as well as some top tips. For more information the programme please contact: h.degnan1@nhs.net.

25 April 2022-Diabetes- Insulin Administration in Care Providers Pilot

Tara Kadis from the Diabetes Team at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust attended Partners in Care Virtual Forum last week, to share details of a pilot opportunity for carers to take on administer insulin in residents with Type 2 diabetes. This opportunity is open to any care providers (including domiciliary and supported living) who would be interested, and use a competency framework developed and supported by district nurses and the diabetes team. Residents who receive district nursing visits would remain under the care of the team and receive at least weekly visits.

The pilot aims to enhance personalised care by ensuring continuity of care for residents and that they receive injections at a time appropriate to their routine/care plan. It is also designed to support development of care staff, and minimise COVID-19 transmission by reducing number of visiting staff entering your service. The full slides from the update can be found through this link, and for more information you can either speak to your district nurse or contact Tara.Kadis@york.nhs.uk

11 April 2022-Resources to Support Social Care Workers in Discussing Sexuality and Relationships

Skills for Care, in collaboration with Supported Loving, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), has conducted a learning materials review to provide social care staff in England with information on resources to best support people who draw on care and support with matters of sexuality and intimate relationships. The review has now been completed and published on their website, alongside:

a supporting personal relationships guide
a learning materials review database, cataloguing resources collated within the review
an information video with Jim Thomas, Head of Workforce Capacity and Transformation at Skills for Care
a podcast covering sexual safety through empowerment from the CQC.

11 April 2022- Meet the Ambassadors Challenging Misconceptions Around what Living with a Learning Disability Looks Like

Mencap have produced a short film of ambassadors challenging stereotypes about what living with a learning disability looks like. Meet the cover model, the athlete, the activist and many more. Why not use the film for a discussion with people who you support about what is possible or even make your own myth-busting film?

28 March 2022-Immedicare Telemedicine Service- When to Call

The funded telemedicine service that the majority of our older persons care homes have access to has now been live for 2 months, and has already had over 160 calls made by homes to date. A reminder that this service is there to support you and your staff when you have concerns about a resident, and can provide clinical advice for a wide range of areas including those detailed above. They can also where appropriate make the onward referral to another service, such as your GP Practice, community nurses or out of hours services where they think a face to face visit required. Further details of the service including a useful guide on when to call as well as user guides can be found through our website.

However for any emergency, homes MUST always contact 999 first and are able to then contact the Telemedicine hub for support until the paramedics arrive e.g. for cardiac chest pain, stroke, severe head injury or loss of consciousness. The delay in calling Telemedicine first in these cases could be critical.

28 March 2022-Nutrition Resources for Care Providers and Vitamin D Update

Nicola Sumpter from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust attended Partners in Care last week, to update on the training programme she has been working with Selby care homes on to support the nutritional needs of their resident. However the resources she uses are available to all providers who would find them useful. This includes details of nutritional shot drinks, carbohydrate portion control for those with diabetes, a workbook that staff are able to use and links to further training opportunities. For more information please contact nicola.sumpter1@nhs.net

We have also updated the webpage to include a link to further information and guidance to help providers support those who need to take Vitamin D supplements. PHE/NICE guidance recommends that people living in care homes or who are not often outdoors (for example, people who are housebound) should consider taking vitamin D 10 microgram nutritional supplements all year round. Adult social care providers should have a policy on how you will support people to meet this recommendation.

21 March 2022-Norovirus Spring Alert

Norovirus outbreaks in care homes have risen in recent weeks, leading the UKHSA to remind people of simple steps that can be taken to limit the spread of the bug Early identification of symptoms of Norovirus infections. The Community Infection Prevention Team have put together these useful slides sharing how to early identifying and isolate an outbreak, report and outbreak and break the chain of infection using hand hygiene, PPE and enhanced cleaning.

21 March 2022- Adult Care Specialist Skills Training Funding

The Humber Coast and Vale ICS (Integrated Care System) in partnership with stakeholders across the region, have come together to identify some of the key skills development areas needed to bridge the gap between social care and health and achieve better outcomes for those being supported. All adult care providers will be able to access training fully funded by the ICS and Skills for Care for your staff in the below areas. Further information including details of how to register for the training, please follow this link.

Strength Based Approaches
Practice Assessor Preparation
Infection, Prevention & Control
Loss, Grief and Bereavement
Mouth Care
Supporting People with Long Term Conditions
Recognising and Responding to Patient Deterioration
Psychological Wellbeing & Resilience in Social Care
Nail Care

07 March 2022-Nutrition and Dietetics Resources- Updated to Include Vitamin D Poster and Carbohydrate Portion Sizes

We have updated the resource set that has previously been circulated to include two additional resources kindly provided by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to include the below posters:

Poster to help providers identify specific carbohydrate portion sizes for those in their care with diabetes, to help control blood glucose levels.
Poster highlighting to care homes that they need to offer an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement to care home residents all year round, and the benefits this can provide.

07 March 2022- Medequip Complaints Process and Equipment Returns

For any providers wishing to make a complaint about the Medequip Community Equipment Service, you are able to do so by calling 01423 226240 or emailing north.yorks@medequip-uk.com. The service will log the complaint, and ensure that providers receive a timely response. Providers are encouraged to chase with the service should there be a delay, and if they are able to obtain the log/reference number of the complaint, know who they reported it to in MQ, be clear about which service user this in relation to and provide as much detailed information as possible this will ensure their complaint is fully addressed. Should they not be satisfied with the response received are able to escalate to the CCG by contacting sam.varo@nhs.net and supplying the above information. The CCG receive a summary of complaints made into the service which are discussed at regular contract review meetings, to help inform service improvements.

A reminder also that equipment is only for the initial person it was prescribed for and not used by others. To return equipment you can do so using the above contact details and supplying serial number/EIN number.

07 March 2022- Learning Disability Health Activity Packs

The CCG has worked with North Yorkshire Learning Disability Partnership Board and Self Advocates to make activity packs with helpful health information and fun activities for adults with a learning disability and their families and carers. The first pack created focuses on health activities, which is available to be downloaded and shared. A further pack will also shortly shared which will focus on fitness.

07 March 2022-Elevated Cyber Threat and New Guidance on Digital Surveillance

Care providers are being advised to protect themselves against the elevated cyber threat from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Digital Social Care and the NHS Transformation Directorate have created the following advice to refer to, which includes keeping your Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) up to date, updating your cyber security continuity plan and following good back up procedures.

Separately, the Information Commissioners Office has published guidance on the use of video surveillance technology such as CCTV, smart doorbells, and facial recognition technology. Care services who use this type of technology, or who are considering using it, should make sure they are aware of this guidance and the guidance from CQC. Digital Social Care and developing a template DPIA that providers will be able to use. To be involved in this work please contact katie@digitalsocialcare.co.uk

28 February 2022- Trusted Transfer Document/Equivalent Reminder for Attendance at Hospital

Please can homes ensure when a resident attends hospital, their trusted transfer form (or your organisations equivalent document eg "This is Me") accompanies them. Please find link to the document held on the CCG website.

21 February 2022- New Toolkit to Help Providers Prepare for CQC Inspections

Developed by Skills for Care in partnership with NICE and the Social Care Institute for Excellence, the Go Online inspection toolkit is designed to support providers in meeting the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) quality standards. The toolkit provides tailored content to help identify areas for improvement and will be regularly updated in-line with the CQC’s assessment framework.

22 February 2022- Paying for Social Care- Social Care Talk

If you work in adult social care or health, or if you, a friend or family member pay for their care themselves, this website a really useful source of information- You've got a friend in Social Care Talk - Social care (blog.gov.uk). This short video showcases a new evidence-based resource to help older people become better informed about self-funded social care. It shows a section on Socialcaretalk, which offers information summaries with video and audio clips of people talking about their experiences of self-funding. It’s based on research by Kate Baxter and colleagues in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of York, and funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit scheme (NIHR RfPB). It aims to help people understand and navigate the social care system. The CCG Nursing Team contributed towards the development of this module and site. This may be something you wish to share with your staff teams to inform their practice and conversations with those in your care and their families

14 February 2022-Chief Nurse Awards for Adult Social Care

Deborah Sturdy (Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Department for Health and Social Care) launched these awards last year which are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution made by social care staff. The awards are designed to celebrate those who go above and beyond in their work, provide outstanding care, commitment and inspiration to colleagues. We would encourage providers to have a think about staff meet these criteria and deserve recognition. We're happy to support with any nominations, and would love to hear from any providers where staff have already receive the award (or other similar awards) so we can share and celebrate their achievements. Slides from an update at last week's Partners in Care Virtual Forum can be found through this link, and further information and the nomination process through this link.

14 February 2022-Long COVID Peer Support Group

If you’re experiencing symptoms of long-COVID the HCV Resilience Hub health, care and emergency service staff peer support group could help The informal support group is held every Wednesday and offers you the opportunity to meet with peers who are undergoing similar symptoms and share your experiences in a safe environment. You will also have opportunities to seek further support and ask questions to dedicated professionals. Register your interest by emailing tewv.hcv-resiliencehub@nhs.net.

07 February 2022-Data Security Protection Toolkit- New Animation

Digital Social Care have released a pared down animation on what care providers really need to know about the Data Security and Protection Toolkit and produced a short, snappy animated film. In less than four minutes, the film looks at how the Data Security and Protection Toolkit helps you to check your data and cyber security policies, procedures and practices – and demonstrate that you have good systems in place. helps you to check your data and cyber security policies, procedures and practices – and demonstrate that you have good systems in place. The DSPT is mandatory for providers who hold a CCG contract, as well as requirement for initiatives such as proxy ordering of medication and NHS Mail which are designed to help health services and social care work more closely together. Regional support and training is available through a designated NHS England and Improvement Regional Team. For more information please email: england.dsptney@nhs.net

31 January 2022-Student Nurse Placements with York St John University

Dr Ros Bronlow from York St John University attended last weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum to share details of their student nurse programme. Their aim is to enable students to become compassionate, competent, and confident nurses capable of leading safe, evidence-informed person-centred care. This includes making a positive contribution towards the health and wellbeing of people from diverse communities across their lifespan. As part of this the university are looking to partner with care providers (both homes and domiciliary based providers) who would be interested in offering, placements that can offer whole person care experiences for the students and allow them to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in a home setting. The full slides can be found through this link. For further information or a discussion please contact: r.brownlow@yorksj.ac.uk.

31 January 2022-Home First, Act Now e-learning Programme

Health Education England’s e-learning for healthcare (HEE elfh) has worked with NHS England and NHS Improvement, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Allied Health Professionals and the Department of Health and Social Care, to develop the new Home First, Act Now e=learning programme. The programme supports health and care professionals involved in the discharge process, to act in a way that values patient time and helps facilitate safe and timely discharge from hospital. The e-learning programme also aims to increase awareness around Home First Principles in the Discharge Policy.

By completing the sessions, learners will understand the principles of Home First, benefit from first hand case study examples and be able to share best practice. Home First, Act Now is suitable for a range of health and care professionals including nurses, AHPs, care staff and students across NHS providers, commissioners and social care. Sessions available as part of the programme include:

Section 1: The principles of Home First
Section 2: Working together
Section 3: Valuing people’s time
Self assessment questionnaire.

For more information about the e-learning, including how to access it, please visit the HEE elfh Home First, Act Now programme page.

17 January 2022- Bronze Award in Quality Improvement E-learning

The Improvement Academy are offering this course free to all health and care staff, which provides and introduction to quality improvement including an introduction to a model of improvement and how to use in practice. The course would be beneficial to those interested in supporting or delivery quality improvement projects. Further information can be found through this flyer.

20 December 2021-Awards to Recognise Exceptional Practice in Adult Social Care Workforce

Earlier in the year Deborah Sturdy (Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England) launched an awards scheme to celebrate and recognise all those in adult social care who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care, leadership and inspiration. To find out more about the awards and to nominate a member of your team please follow this link.

Senior support worker Paul Evans from The Lodge Care Home in Hemingbrough (run by Action for Care) was one of the first people in the country to receive this award earlier in the year, and was nominated by his manager for going above and beyond in support of those in his care. During the early stage of the pandemic Paul stayed away from home to minimise the risk to his residents, and supported a gentleman at end of life in a bedside vigil as well as being asked to be a pallbearer at the funeral by his family. As well as his work within the home supporting those with learning disabilities, he also acts as a communication champion within the community which has included setting up a deaf hub and supporting homelessness services. A big congratulations to Paul on receiving his silver award on behalf of the CCG, and for all his work to support and keep safe those in his care. If any other providers have staff members who have recently received an award we would love to hear about them and share their achievements with others.

20 December 2021-Get Yourself Active: New Practical Resource for Social Care Staff

Disability Rights UK in partnership with social care and physical activity experts have developed an online resource to support people take up physical activity are it’s hugely important to people’s health and mental wellbeing. It covers practical solutions on getting more active, tackles barriers head-on and provides social workers, care staff/family members with the knowledge and tools to support people to realise their physical activity aspirations. There’s a section about communicating with people with complex disabilities to find out someone’s interests and goals and what may work best for the individual when it comes to getting physically active. Follow this link to access the Get Yourself Active Social Care Activity Pack.

13 December 2021- Good News from Vale of York Providers

At last weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum the group heard about of some of great work providers in our area have been doing to support those in their care. The full slides from the update can be found through this link, and include:

Julie Norman from Heritage Healthcare being recognised as Carer of the Year at the York Community Pride Awards
Wilf Ward Family Trust supporting one of their clients to take part in a dragon boat race
Staff from Ouse View raising over £1000 through a memory walk in aid of Alzheimer's UK
Fulford Nursing Home being nominated Management Team of the Year at the Caring UK Awards
Providers across the area supporting those in their care to enjoy Halloween and bonfire night.

06 December 2021-Staff Wellbeing Slides and Resources

Please find through this link, slides that providers may find supportive to promote wellbeing and signpost staff to support services. This includes ideas of how different providers have been managing this in their settings, as well as links for support from the Humber Coast and Vale Resilience Hub, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's mindfulness offer and the Mindfulness Institute.

08 November 2021-Congratulations Julie Norman- Carer of the Year York Community Pride Awards 2021

We would like to congratulate Julie Norman, Senior Care Coordinator at Heritage Healthcare York who scooped the Carer of the Year at the York Community Pride Awards in October. Julie was recognised for her dedication in supporting the vulnerable and elderly in our community to stay safely in their own homes, both through providing hands on care at night and scheduling care plans and providing training to other members of her care team during the day. Julie has worked for the company since September 2012 and has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic by continued to provide essential support, deliver a sense of normality for those who have found it difficult and be a crucial link for loved ones who have not been able to physically be with family during lockdown. More information on the award is available through this link.

02 November 2021-Face Masks Reminder and Poster for Care Providers

One of the biggest ways that staff infect themselves with viruses including Covid-19, D&V etc is through contaminating themselves during removal, or through touching contaminated PPE. A common risk factor is touching face masks as we are required to wear them continually at work when in a health or care environment. We wear a face mask to prevent us from breathing in viral particles – Any airborne particles, rather than entering our nose or mouths as we breath are trapped on the outside of the face mask, protecting us but contaminating the outside of the mask. Should we then touch our contaminated face mask, any viral particles present will contaminate our hands which we can spread to other people or objects by touch/hand contact; or we can infect ourselves by touching our eyes, nose, or mouth. It is therefore important that PPE is used correctly- and combined with good hand hygiene to be effective! If you touch your face mask for any reason, i.e eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting, scratching your face etc then you should remove the mask, dispose of it safely and perform hand hygiene before applying a fresh mask.

Please share this poster with staff to raise awareness and remember.

25 October 2021-Role of Multidisciplinary Teams in Enhancing the Health of Care Home Residents

A new animation from NHS England and NHS improvement has been launched for all health and social care professionals working in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) involved in improving patient care in care homes. Shown through resident Magdalena’s eyes, we find out how health and care home professionals can work collaboratively to improve the health of their residents and to plan proactive and personalised care.

25 October 2021-Skills for Care Wellbeing Update

Supporting the health and wellbeing of the social care workforce continues to be a key priority for Skills for Care. Please find through this link their October wellbeing update which includes their offer of support to registered managers (including a Facebook group, advice line and webinars for wellbeing). They also have a wellbeing resource finder which holds a wide range of support and resources all in one single place.

18 October 2021- Domiciliary Eyecare Guidance

New guidance has been published from the Primary Eyecare Sector’s Domiciliary Eyecare Committee. This guidance covers how they will meet the needs of people who are unable to leave home unaided owing to physical or mental illness or disability are potentially at higher risk of eye disease and vision problems than the general population. You can read the full guidance on how these providers will support the eye health of people you may provide services to here.

18 October 2021- Fire Safety in Care Homes

The National Fire Chiefs Council have created guidance for providers on fire safety in care homes and nursing homes to support with current health and safety practices. The guidance emphasises the critical importance of staffing levels, emergency plans, and fire safety management arrangements in Care/Nursing Homes. They recommend providers find their local Fire Risk Assessors or Local Fire and Rescue Service to support with reviewing your fire risk assessments and management arrangements.

18 October 2021-How to Make the Most of Student Nurse Placements

With the help of practitioners from the workforce and input from people who need care and support, Skills for Care have launched a guide which supports the understanding of nursing placements within social care settings. This is the first time such guidance has been produced following funding from Health Education England. It’s a quick and easy way for employers to identify what type of experience your setting can offer to a student nurse and how it maps to the nursing curriculum (future nurse standards of proficiency) by using the 10 descriptions of different social care settings included in the guide. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to not only develop your training offer but also develop your staff by encouraging them to think about how they could support student nurses in the workplace. To find out more and download the guide please follow this link

09 September 2021-Partners in Care Good News- Stories from Summer

At this weeks Partners in Care we shared some of the many good news stories from our care providers in how they have supported those in their case despite the difficult circumstances over the summer months. To see the full slides please follow this link, but highlights include:

Staff and residents getting into the sporting spirit to cheer on England during the Euro's and Olympics
Awards for both Care mUm and Blossom Care Tadcaster in the Yorkshire and Humber Round of the Great British Care Awards.
Virtual skydiving for residents at Grimston Court as part of an awareness week to support the British Heart Foundation
Connaught Court organising a special balloon ride for a resident who played a vital role on D-Day
Home Instead working with Barclays Digital Eagles to support clients with digital skills.
Somerset House getting into the Hawaiian spirit to keep residents hydrated
Support workers at Avalon Care helping a client to create a Toy Story drinks table and stormtrooper loo roll dispenser.

16 August 2021-Guidance on Internet Connectivity for Care Providers

As organisations use more technology, Digital Social Care are often asked for advice on how social care organisations can improve their access to the internet. They have therefore worked with NHSX and care providers to produce 3 quick guides on internet connectivity.

A quick guide to care home broadband
A quick guide to Wi-Fi for care providers
A quick guide to mobile and satellite internet for care providers

02 August 2021- Returning Community Equipment Poster

Please find a poster available through this link which may be useful to display in your care setting, detailing how to return any community equipment once no longer required. With the current shortages of raw materials impacting supplies, it's really important for any equipment to be returned rather than reused.

27 July 2021-Heat Stress and PPE

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in warm/hot environments increases the risk of heat stress. This occurs when the body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Heat stress can cause heat exhaustion and lead to heat stroke if the person is unable to cool down.

Measures to control the temperature of clinical environments and enable staff to make behavioural adaptations to stay cool and well hydrated should be made. Staff may require more frequent breaks and the frequency of PPE changes may increase, with a resulting increase in demand. Further information and actions are available on the CAS website.

23 July 2021-What's My Step Campaign-New Videos

The What's My Step Campaign has been set up by local authority and health partners in York to help residents to rebuild the fitness that many of us have lost during lockdown. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week for adults. Adults should do some type of physical activity every day and any type of activity is good: in fact the more you do, the better.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have added 3 new videos which may be helpful for your teams and those in your care:

What's My Next Step - Balance

What's My Next Step - Stair Stepping

What's My Next Step - High Knees

20 July 2021-Nursing Associate Guide for Employers

Skills for Care have launched ‘An employer’s guide to the deployment of qualified registered nursing associates in social care settings’ which aims to support employers, commissioners and registered nursing associates to have a clear understanding of the role of a registered nursing associate and how it can add value to the care being provided. It includes examples of how registered nursing associates are working in different social care settings and how the scope of practice can differ depending on the team and situation.

05 July 2021-Trainee Nursing Associate in Social Care Role

At Partners in Care last week there was a joint update from Humber Coast and Vale Workforce Hub and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, about the relatively new role of trainee nursing associate. This can sit in between the role of senior carer and registered nurse, and providing an opportunity for ambitious carers to develop. The course takes 2 years and a variety of funding opportunities are available for care providers to take advantage of. Providers must have a registered nurse available to help support the TNA, but as discussed there are also opportunities for non-nursing setting to host placements also. The slides detailing the course and application details are available through this link, and a quick guide for interested providers through this link.

Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust have had 2 TNA's in place for the last year across their York homes, and shared how they have benefited from having them in place and it has helped them retain and develop talented staff within their organisation. Ellie and Paul their two TNA's, talked inspiringly about how the course has helped them develop their skills and work closely alongside the nurses within the homes. The slides from their update are available through this link.

For further information or if you would like to discuss what support might be available please contact: Victoria.Wilkins@hey.nhs.uk

05 July 2021-Audiology and Hearing Aid Update

Emily Litherland attendees Partners in Care last week, to share an update on how care providers can help support those in their care with hearing impairments (including how to get the most benefit from their hearing aid). The slides from the update and may be useful to share with your teams. The main take home messages from the session were.

The importance of washing hearing aids daily.
That hearing aids should be kept in all day to allow an individual to get most benefit, not put in just when having conversations.
Making sure the hearing aids is put in the correct ear, and inserting correctly to avoid a pressure sore.
That the symptoms of dementia and a hearing impairment can be confused.
That wearing of makes of masks means you may have to speak louder to be heard.
Specialist adjustments for clinics for those with dementia or LD can be made.

For further information or any queries the York audiology team can be contacted through 01904 726741

21 June 2021-IPC Resource- Use of Portable Fans

The Community IPC Team have created a poster appropriate to all care providers regarding use of portable fans. These have been linked to cross-infection in some health and social care settings. Dust and debris can naturally accumulate within the internal body of the blades of fans and this provides a reservoir for microorganisms. Each use and reuse should be risk assessed. Decontamination and maintenance schedules must be in place. To view the poster please follow this link.

21 June 2021-Viral Gastroenteritis- Resources and Handwashing Reminder: Slides Now Available to Assist

Following the reminder last week regarding a recent increase in suspected outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis in the area, Caroline Gent from the Community IPC Team attend Partners in Care Virtual Forum to share a set of slides which may help providers prevent and manage outbreaks in their settings. Also available to support you are a special bulletin published by the Community IPC Team for North Yorkshire and York, as well as a poster the CCG have also created which can be printed off and displayed to reiterate messages to staff.

21 June 2021-Good News From VOY Care Providers

At last weeks Partners in Care Virtual Forum we took time to have a look at some of fantastic work taking place across our area from providers in supporting both their staff and those in their care. The full good news update can be found through this link, which this month includes:

Staff at New Lodge and The Oaks virtually experiencing what it can be like to live with dementia, during a visit from the virtual dementia bus.
Great Care Company appointing a Parkinson's champion to learn, fundraise and educate other staff to help support the care they offer.
Chocolate Works Care Village recognising their contribution their nurses make by baking "International Nurses Day" in doughnuts!
Staff at Ebor Court and Meadowbeck undertaking Dementia Friends Training
Fantastic fundraising efforts at Ouse View, Home Instead Senior Care, Handley House and Ebor Court among others.

14 June 2021-Viral Gastroenteritis- Resources and Handwashing Reminder

The Community IPC Team have recently dealt with a number of outbreaks of suspected viral gastroenteritis in North Yorkshire and York. They have been asked by CCG’s to produce a special bulletin for North Yorkshire and York. The bulletin details symptoms of gastroenteritis and what to do when you suspect and outbreak, as well as the importance of handwashing to prevent spread of infection. Please note the alcohol hand gel is not effective against gastroenteritis.

The CCG have also created a poster which can be printed off and displayed in care settings, which reiterates the importance of effective handwashing and contains a case study from the area showing the devastating consequences an outbreak can have on those receiving care as well as staff and their families.

24 May 2021- Yorkshire Ambulance Service Dementia Friendly Strategy

YAS has made a commitment to become a Dementia Friendly organisation as part of its Clinical Strategy (2019-2024). Information on how they are working towards this can be found in these slides from last week's Partners in Care Virtual Forum. This includes training of staff and innovative CPD opportunities including a dementia bus and sessions delivered by dementia champions, as well as making documentation dementia friendly. They have received 123 dementia patient friendly patient transport vehicles, and engaging with dementia awareness groups and health professionals/services involved in the care of those with dementia to get their views. If you would like to share any experiences or ask any queries please contact laura.williams47@nhs.net

18 May 2021-Vitamin D Food Supplement Update

Please find through this link, information for care homes about the ongoing use of vitamin D 10 micrograms food supplements once the free supply from DHSC comes to an end.

18 May 2021-Trainee Nursing Associates- Happy International Nurses Day

Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust have shared this message written by Paul and Ellie who are training nursing associates (TNA's) working across their care homes and services in York. In it, they reflect on their experiences of managing the challenges of the last year alongside their study as well as the opportunities the role has provided them. The TNA programme allows staff to bridge the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, combining study days and experience in different setting with the day job to help develop their knowledge and skills. Paul and Ellie have used this learning and experience from residential care to support the Independent Living Service during an outbreak earlier in the year. The advert for the next intake of TNA's is due very shortly and will be shared with providers through the bulletin.

10 May 2021-Good News and Shared Learning Across Vale of York Care Providers

At last week's Partners in Care Virtual Forum we took time to reflect on good news stories, shared learning and innovative activities and support that our care providers have been providing for those in their care. This month's update includes fundraising challenges, a manager being shortlisted for the Great British Care Awards, a domiciliary care assistant using her art skills to support staff with dementia and a home who have kept in touch with their local primary school through the power of poetry.

If you have any good news stories you would like to share form your provider then we would love to hear them.

26 April 2021-NICE Quick Guide: Creating a Safeguarding Culture in Care Homes

Based on their recent safeguarding adults in care homes guideline, NICE's new quick quide provides concise practical guidance on how to develop a positive culture that encourages open conversations about safeguarding. Registered managers of care homes may find this resource useful. The quick guide includes advice on:

Safeguarding policy
Systems and procedures
Whistleblowing
Roles and responsibilities
Management and supervision.

06 April 2021- Motor Neurone Disease Resource

A newly-launched resource for nursing staff caring for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has been developed in partnership with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery the Motor Neurone Association and Neuroscience Forum

29 March 2021- NICE Safeguarding Adults in Care Homes Guidance

Christine Pearson (Designated Professional for Adult Safeguarding) gave an overview at last week's Partners in Care Virtual Forum on the new NICE safeguarding adults in care homes guidance. The slides from Christine's update can be found through this link, which includes summaries of the main points to consider, visual summaries and audit/improvement resources.

This is designed to support care home providers with practical advice on developing a strong safeguarding culture, helping to keep adults in care homes safe from abuse and neglect. It includes indicators that should alert people to the possibility of abuse or neglect on both an individual and organisational level. It contains advice for care home providers, commissioners, local authorities, Safeguarding Adults Boards and safeguarding practitioners on:

Care home policy and procedures on safeguarding, whistleblowing and record-keeping
Safeguarding staff training and support for staff in care homes
Involving the resident at risk
Improving the quality of referrals to local authorities
Cross-agency communication and collaboration.

The recommendations from this guideline have been included in the NICE Pathway on safeguarding adults in care homes, which brings together everything they have said on safeguarding adults in care homes in an interactive flowchart.

Following this update there was a discussion on how learning from safeguarding adults reviews can be better shared with care providers, and we will working to incorporate a chance to reflect on lessons learned as a recurring feature of future Partners in Care sessions.

29 March 2021-Mindfulness for Care Staff and Skills for Care Wellbeing Resource Finder

Rachel Instone from TEVW came to Partners in Care Virtual Forum last week to share the mindfulness courses and support that care staff can access. Mindfulness is the natural capacity we all have to bring awareness and interest to what is happening in the present moment. There is now very good evidence that becoming more mindful can support out mental health and well-being. During these difficult times, looking after ourselves as well as our residents has never been so important.

The slides from Rachel's update can be found through this link. You can try a taster session (an hour and a half long) via Microsoft Teams where you will join a group led by one of the Trust’s Mindfulness teachers. There will be information on what mindfulness is, some mindfulness practice and an exploration of ways that you could practice mindfulness to support your well-being. You can just do this taster session, or you can use it as a stepping stone to the full 9 week course. You can sign up for free and no prior experience is required. For more information, please email: tewv.mindfulness@nhs.net

Additionally, Skills for Care have created a useful resource finder that allows care colleagues to easily access a wide range of wellbeing tools and advice. The finder helps you access self-help, support for others, or find someone to talk to in confidence, about your mental health or other issues.

23 March 2021- Diabetes Medication Stock Reminder

In the last month there have been some serious incidents relating to residents with diabetes. These have included residents not receiving oral medication or insulin as required. All diabetic medication as you appreciate is time critical and in one incident insulin could not be administered at the right time due to there being no stock available when the vial being used was identified as out of date.

District Nurse colleagues would like to ask that all care homes ensure that residents have sufficient stock of medications, particularly for those with diabetes. The Head of Nursing – Community will ensure the DN teams make you aware of expiry dates for opened insulin to enable further stock to be ordered without the need to stock pile, but that will prevent delays in your residents care.

If you wish to discuss this further please feel free to contact Tracy Means HoN – Community.

08 February 2021-Making Sense of COVID-19 Testing and Shedding- Updated Guidance

Please find attached through this link updated clinical guidance around shedding which is based on the guidance originally created by Dr Andrew Lee and shared last May. This provides answers to frequently asked questions around interpreting test results, as well as contacts for further support.

22 January 2021-Pulse Oximetry Update

Please find through this link a poster that has been created to help staff when using pulse oximeters, including how to use them, how to interpret the readings and what you should do based on these readings. There is also information regarding evidence that pulse oximeters may underestimate blood oxygen levels in individuals with darker skin. A baseline oxygen saturation should be taken when first assessing SpO2 rates and any changes in readings then compared to this baseline

We are working on creating a dedicated pulse oximetry page on the Partners in Care website so this information is easily accessible for staff. This will also link to further information and resources around Identifying and Responding to Deteriorating Residents, including the workbook version of the training which many providers have completed.

The CCG do have additional advice available should providers need them, please contact sam.varo@nhs.net for more information. Also a reminder that there have been reports nationally of a small number of defective devices, however if you do discover one in your setting then please let us know and we will swap it for you.

21 December 2020- End of Life Nutrition Leaflet

The British Dietetic Association have produced an accredited leaflet which can be used to support you in providing nutrition to a resident or service user at the end of life. This includes guidance on the importance of nourishment over nutrition at this time and how to support this with food, drink and snacks.

30 November 2020- Performing CPR on Symptomatic Individuals

Following the guidance from Department of Health and Social Care that has been circulated recently, The Resuscitation Council have produced some guidance which may be more helpful to care homes and community care providers.

02 November 2020- Why Hypothermia is a Bad Sign in Infections

Often, a systemic infection like sepsis will cause a patient to develop a high fever as part of the body’s immune system response. In some cases, though, a patient will develop hypothermia, or low body temperature instead.

When an individual develops hypothermia during sepsis, there is an increased risk of fatality than when a patient develops a fever. The reason body temperature can change is the body normally “resets” itself at a higher preferred temperature and begins to expend energy keeping the body warmer as a means of fighting infection. When this does not happen or when the body resets at a colder temperature, the body is at a disadvantage because decreased blood flow and circulation already occurs with blood vessel dilation with sepsis, and cold temperature further decreases this blood flow.

Although further research is needed, hypothermia during sepsis can be indicative of larger immune system problems and an ominous course.

Health Education England have produced a resource on Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) (of which sepsis is one such cause) – where hypothermia is one of the recognized features to look out for (in addition to tachycardia, tachypnoea or low blood pressure.

24 August 2020- Emollients: Fire Risk and Precautions Campaign

The MHRA and National Fire Chiefs Council have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of fire risk and precautions that need to be taken by users of skin creams. This contains a short video and a PowerPoint presentation for staff training and information. Also links to other resources such as posters and information for people who use the products. The resources can be found through this link.

29 June 2020- Delirium Webinar Resources

As mentioned during the Partners in Care/Project ECHO session last week, please find resources from the webinar “Delirium and considerations during the Covid-19 pandemic” which was hosted by the Dementia Policy Unit at NHS England and Improvement on 24th June 2020. As promised, please find enclosed:

Webinar Slides
The Greater Manchester Community Delirium Toolkit, which is referred to in the presentation. This is shared as a ‘working draft’ - Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership – Dementia United
Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Network ‘Think Delirium’ resources

08 June 2020- Bereavement Support and Resources

Dr Jonathan Bauer, Bereavement Support Manager at St Leonards Hospice led a powerful session at Thursday’s Partners in Care/Project ECHO network around bereavement and support in care settings focusing on the specific challenges faced by colleagues working in the independent care sector . The session focused on the emotional impact of the current outbreak of residents, relatives/ friends and staff. A number of resources were shared which are available through this link. This includes the presentation that was delivered, some prompts around difficult conversations, resources for those who would value bereavement support as well as case studies to help thinking about approaches. Providers are encouraged to use and adapt these resources for their own use as required.

The Quality & Nursing Team recognise the immense challenge our colleagues are facing and would like to offer our support and again reiterate thanks for the personal sacrifices you are all making at home and work to ensure residents and teams are able to continue being safe. Please do contact sarah.fiori@nhs.net if you have any queries or requests for support.

04 May 2020- Partners in Care Lessons Learnt: Partners in Care COVID-19 ECHO Response Network

A summary bulletin has been produced by care providers represented at the ECHO Response Network who have experienced an outbreak of COVID-19 within their care setting. This is designed to provide shared learning and guidance to fellow care providers around

How cases presented and what symptoms were shown
How infections manifested themselves and how providers managed them
How staff wellbeing was promoted

Please share and use this resource within your organisation as appropriate. More details on the network and how to join can be found below.

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News for Care Providers

24 October 2022- DHSC Updated Illustrated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guides

19 August 2022- Fire Safety and Disability Guidance

15 August 2022- Congratulations Care Preference

Other Partners in Care Pages

Stay connected

Helpful links

Contact us