29 April 2024 - Syringe Drivers - Information for patients, relatives and carers

Humber Foundation Trust has created a leaflet for patients, relatives and carers living in Scarborough, Ryedale, Whitby and Pocklington areas. Click here to view the leaflet.

19 February 2024- Have You got Medequip Community Equipment that Could be Recycled?

In January 2024 Medequip introduced a bulk care home collection speed. Medequip are aware that care homes can find it challenging when trying to arrange collections and as a result, often have a number of items that they need to collect at once. To make this easier, Medequip have introduced a bulk collection speed for care homes.

Care homes need to contact Medequip via the north.yorks@medequip.com email address and let the Medequip team know the details (EIN number) of at least one item they need to be collected. This bulk collection speed is for 6 large items or more. For less than 6 items the normal collection process remains for care homes, which is to email Medequip and inform them of all of the EIN numbers and equipment details of the items they want to be collected.

If you have equipment that is no longer needed, you are urged to contact Medequip.  An email must be sent to Medequip to confirm as many items as possible to be collected (EIN numbers), this information will be passed to the commissioners who will review the request.  Once the request is approved, Medequip will contact you direct to agree the collecton date and location of the items on site. One the day of the collection please make sure a member of your team is available should Medequip need to be shown where to access the equipment.  

To view poster please follow this link.

12 February 2024- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Adult Social Care: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Guidance

On 01 February 2024, the government published new guidance which replaces the ‘COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resources for adult social care’. The new guidance is found here: Infection prevention and control (IPC) in adult social care: acute respiratory infection (ARI) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please see interim guidance produced by the North Yorkshire Council Public Health Team available through this link. This will be updated when final guidance documents are released.  It is consistent with the approach of managing COVID-19 increasingly in line with other ARIs, made possible by high vaccination coverage, high immunity amongst the population, and increased access to COVID-19 treatments. Please continue to follow the local recommendations below within all settings:

• Ensure business continuity plans are reviewed regularly
• Continue to risk assess mask wearing in settings (should be worn when caring for anyone with suspected or confirmed acute respiratory infection)
• Maintain a low symptom threshold to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses
• Continue to report cases to UKHSA
• Utilise testing for admission into settings, and testing within settings where appropriate, to support management of cases of respiratory viruses
• Ensure you maintain a stock of tests and check for expiration dates        

12 February 2024- Introduction of ReSPECT Process Briefing for Providers

The York and North Yorkshire area is moving towards the adoption of the ReSPECT process. The aim of this is to promote a more patient-centred and consistent approach to advanced care planning. Over the coming year, you will see the introduction  of ReSPECT documentation and eventually the phasing out of the “red bordered” DNACPR forms. In order to support staff with this, a number of sessions are planned to talk through the process, and enable you to ask questions. The following sessions, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, are currently available:

• 17.5.24  10. 00- The ReSPECT process: a guide for care staff – held on MS Teams; suitable for all working in the social care sector
• 6.6.24 10.00- The ReSPECT process: a guide for care staff – held face to face in the Education Centre, Saint Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough; suitable for all working in the social care sector
• 19.7.24 10.00- The ReSPECT process: a guide for LD and autism providers – held on MS teams; suitable for any staff  caring for clients with learning disabilities and/or autism
• 17.9.24 10.00- The ReSPECT process: a guide for care staff – held on MS Teams and suitable for all working in the social care sector
• 14.10.24 10.00- The ReSPECT process: a guide for LD and autism providers – held face to face in the Education Centre, Saint Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough; suitable on MS teams for any staff caring for clients with learning disabilities and/or autism

There will also be a session on ReSPECT on the Palliative care for care staff study day run at St Catherine’s on 8 July

Further dates, including face to face sessions in other locations across the area, will be circulated over the coming months.

To book onto any of these sessions, or to discuss how we can support your organisation with the ReSPECT roll out please email: sarah.holloway@saintcatherines.org.uk.

                              

12 February 2024- St Leonard's Hospice MND Drop in and Complimentary Therapy Service

When: First and Third Wednesday's of the month 1:00-3:00 at St Leonard's Hospice.

This new service has been developed by St Leonard's Hospice in association with the MND Association York Group who has provided funding to pilot a complementary therapy offering for people living with motor neurone disease. Referrals for complementary therapy will be accepted from the MND specialist nurses. They will also be running an MND drop-in between 1pm and 3pm on the same dates. This is open to anyone living with MND and does not require a referral. Just turn up! For information be found in this information leaflet.

06 February 2024- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in Adult Social Care: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)

On 1st February 2024, the government published new guidance which replaces the ‘COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resources for adult social care’.   

The new guidance is found here: Infection prevention and control (IPC) in adult social care: acute respiratory infection (ARI) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please see interim guidance produced by the North Yorkshire Council Public Health Team available through this link. This will be updated when final guidance documents are released. 

It is consistent with the approach of managing COVID-19 increasingly in line with other ARIs, made possible by high vaccination coverage, high immunity amongst the population, and increased access to COVID-19 treatments.

Please continue to follow the local recommendations below within all settings:

1.Ensure business continuity plans are reviewed regularly

2.Continue to risk assess mask wearing in settings (should be worn when caring for anyone with suspected or confirmed acute respiratory infection)

3.Maintain a low symptom threshold to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses

4.Continue to report cases to UKHSA

5.Utilise testing for admission into settings, and testing within settings where appropriate, to support management of cases of respiratory viruses

6.Ensure you maintain a stock of tests and check for expiration dates

05 February 2024- National Patient Safety Alert- Medical Beds, Trolleys, Bed Rails, Bed Grab Handles and Lateral Turning Devices: Risk of Death From Entrapment or Fall

We are resharing the above national alert which was originally released in August 2023, following reports of death and entrapment relating to medical equipment. According to investigations, deaths were found to involve factors including inadequate risk assessment, maintenance issues and children and adults of small stature using beds which are designed for use by adults with typical body dimensions. The alert requests a series of actions for providers around maintenance, training and risk assessment. It is asked that all providers ensure they are familiar with the notification and take relevant action as appropriate.

It is expected that all providers as standard practice are registered to receive alerts directly to support the safety of those in your care. For information on how register please follow this link or contact safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk.

05 February 2024- Our Draft Guidance on Visiting Care Homes, Hospitals and Hospices: Tell CQC What You Think

CQC are asking for views on our proposed guidance to help providers understand and meet the new standard on visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals, and hospices. The guidance also sets out what people using health and social care services and their families, friends or advocates can expect. They would like to hear views from the public and providers, their representatives, and other stakeholders.

This consultation is limited to guidance about the new fundamental standard. It does not cover the scope and content of the visiting legislation itself, which was looked at by the Department of Health and Social Care’s own consultation.

The consultation on our guidance closes at midday on 20 February 2024.

• News: Consultation on our guidance on visiting in care homes, hospitals and hospices
• Consultation: Our guidance on visiting in care homes, hospitals and hospices

05 February 2024- Rise in Measles Cases: Check You and Your Family Have Had the MMR Vaccine

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently declared a national incident as a result of a rise in measles cases across the UK. Measles is a viral illness that spreads very easily through airborne transmission. Measles is more than just a rash and can lead to serious complications including meningitis and blindness.

All staff should be up to date with their routine immunisations, including tetanus, diphtheria, polio and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). Two doses of the MMR vaccine gives 99% life-long protection against measles – you can check your vaccination status with your GP practice if unsure. Unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with someone with measles may be asked isolate for up to 21 days, which is the length of time it can take to develop the illness after being in contact with a measles case.

It is never too late to catch up on any missed doses of MMR vaccination; people can request any missed doses at any age. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also helps protect people you work with and care for.

05 February 2024- North Yorkshire and York Palliative and End of Life Care Group- Care Provider Representative Opportunity

Are you passionate about high quality and person-centred end of life care provision, and would be interested in acting as a care provider representative contributing to service improvement across our area? We are looking for a representative from the adult social care sector to join the North Yorkshire and York Palliative and End of Life Care Group, which is a multi-agency group with representation from acute, community, primary care, mental health, hospice, local authority, ICB and wider partners involved in the delivery of end of life care. The group works in partnership with key stakeholders to:

• Collectively influence the development of improved palliative and end of life care services across North Yorkshire and York in line with best practice standards.
• Promote the integration and alignment of services across key stakeholders in health, social care and the third sector system resulting in positive outcomes for people who have palliative care needs or who are at the end of their life, and also for their families /carers. 
• Guide the provision of evidence-based interventions and best practice
• To contribute to key pieces of work and support the development, implementation, commissioning and monitoring of palliative and end of life care services
• Support and inform the existing palliative and end of life education and drive forward any key pieces of work where an area of focus is required

This in opportunity to ensure the voice of social care is heard and used to shape palliative care service delivery across our area to support best outcomes for those in our care. The group meets every 3 months via Microsoft Teams- though there will be opportunity to contribute to additional groups to support the delivery of key workstreams should you wish.  To express and interest or to discuss the opportunity further please contact sam.varo@nhs.net or nikki.henderson1@nhs.net.

05 February 2024- St Leonards Hospice Selby Wellbeing Hub    

When: Every Tuesday Afternoon 1:00-3:00, Communi-tea, 10b Abbey Walk, Selby, YO8 4DZ

The drop-in wellbeing hub is aimed at anyone living with a life-limiting illness, and their family or friends. We offer a listening and supportive ear in a relaxed space with refreshments available. Free parking is available at the Abbey Walk retail park for a maximum of 2 hours. Please find through these link's digital copies of our leaflet and poster.

Full details of wellbeing and outreach services available through the hospice can be found through this link.

29 January 2024- Positive Behaviour Support Update for Providers

At this week's Care Connected we were joined by Leah Whiteside (PBS Clinical Lead for NY and York, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust) and Tanja Entwistle (LD and Autism Project Support Officer, HNY ICB) who gave an engaging overview of Positive Behaviour Support, the benefits to individuals in receipt of care and providers, and looking at how we can support embedding in practice. The slides from the session can be found through this link.

The team are currently looking to understand the current provision of PBS in our sector, so would encourage providers working with those with LD or Autism to please complete a brief survey to share your experiences. The next stage of the journey will be looking to establish a community of practice where providers can come to together to share knowledge, best practice and ideas and to support training and development.  For any further queries please contact: hnyicb-ny.mhld@nhs.net

29 January 2024- Trusted Assessor Form (TAF) Development Update- York and Scarborough Trust

During 2023, a series of provider engagement events took place as part of a wider review of the Trusted Assessor Form to meet the information needs of care sector partners, and support in timely discharges into the community. Over the last few months the form has been digitalised. To enable this to be as streamlined as possible, Physio and OT documentation electronic assessments into the system too and have reviewed the current nursing notes to enable then to feed directly into the TAF.

The first digital TAF was piloted in December and is currently being used by 3 wards in Scarborough and 1 in York, with initial feedback positive from staff. Further improvements to the form are being made based on feedback and training to staff on both sites is underway. Providers are thanked for their patience with this process and you should now start to see more of the electronic TAF's coming into your service in the coming weeks. If you have any feedback on the form please don't hesitate to contact yhs-tr.AHPDirectorateProfessionalLeads@nhs.net

29 January 2024- VIVALDI Study- Reducing Infections in Our Care Sector

This new pilot will work with over 500 care homes in England to monitor infections such as COVID-19, flu, norovirus, and urinary tract infections, and analyse the resultant anonymised data in order to help reduce infections in care homes for older adults. his programme will work to enhance the wellbeing of individuals residing or working in care homes for older people throughout England as well as supporting the wellbeing of visitors to the homes. This initiative coordinated by University College London, The Oustanding Society, Care England and NHS England seeks to investigate strategies for minimising infections and enhancing the overall quality of life within these care settings. The collection of data plays a pivotal role in driving positive transformation within the sector, reflecting our commitment to research led by social care, for social care.
 
Due to the high interest in the project, there will be different phases, phase one will include providers who use Nourish or PCS, and we are working with other digital suppliers to include them later in 2024. Due to the workload for teams using paper-based systems and the security of the data, the project does not allow homes to participate who are paper-based only.
 
The Outstanding Society website includes detailed information about how to get involved in the project, including a practical animation helping you to explain it to the people you support, key information about how data will be used etc.
 
If you want to be at the forefront of new research, please e-mail: info@vivaldisocialcare.co.uk

29 January 2024- Resilience-Based Clinical Supervision Programme for Nurses and Nurse Associates in Social Care  

The Foundation of Nursing Studies are delighted to be launching a Resilience-based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) programme specifically for nurses and nurse associates in social care settings free of charge. For further information please contact rbcs.socialcare@fons.org for an informal discussion and to find out more about the programme.

Download the RBCS Social Care Flyer
Read the press release
Visit the website 

22 January 2024- Living Well Newsletter January 2024

This month's Living Well Newsletter from the ICB's Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Team (North Yorkshire and York) can be found through this link. This month's edition includes resources to support the upcoming introduction of the reasonable adjustments flag, learning from the 2022 LeDeR report and how to support those in your care access cervical screening and their annual health check. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the bulletin direct, please contact: hnyicb-ny.mhld@nhs.net

 

15 January 2024- North Yorkshire and York Care Provider Support Handbook- Now Available to Providers

We're delighted to launch our new handbook which is designed as a resource available to all providers to assist you in identifying, navigating and accessing the range of local partners who work together to support your team and those in your care. The booklet is designed both for individuals new to role or the local area as well as experienced staff- and provides an overview of key local teams who you will work with, training and quality improvement opportunities, health and wellbeing contacts, support for your providers digital journey, and how stay updated and engage with fellow care sector colleagues. We recognise the diversity of the local care sector and no one provider is the same, so we encourage providers to use and customise this handbook as best meets the needs of your service. There is space to fill in your own information and contacts for your local services, and handbook is intended to be a live document so will be continuously updated to include further local offers and information relevant to our sector.

To view the support handbook please follow this link.

                      

15 January 2024- Oral Health Training Now Available to All North Yorkshire and York Care Providers       

Harrogate District Teaching Hospital's Oral Health Team have been commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council to provide a programme of provide a range of free oral health training for the adult social care sector. Ruth Harrison from the team attended Care Connected to give some key oral messages to support our teams and give an overview of the training. The slides from the session can be found through this link alongside a Makaton tool that was also shared. There are three sessions which are available to all providers and staff groups across North Yorkshire and York. Each of these sessions last 1 hour and are delivered virtually through Teams on the following dates.

• Oral health training for care home staff – Looks at dementia, stroke, denture care and supporting individuals with their brushing
• Oral health training for professionals working with adults with physical and learning difficulties – Looks at how certain conditions can affect oral health and adaptations to consider to help with toothbrushing
• Oral health training for professionals working with vulnerable adults – Looks at the impact smoking, alcohol and drug use can have on oral health.

Upcoming Dates

• Wednesday 24 January 10am Professionals working with adults with physical and learning disabilities
• Tuesday 30 January 2pm Professionals working with vulnerable adults
• Tuesday 13 February 3pm Professionals working in care homes
• Monday 26 February 11am Professionals working with adults with physical and learning disabilities
• Monday 4 March 10am Professionals working with vulnerable adults
• Tuesday 19 March 3pm Professionals working in care homes

To book your place or for any queries please contact ruth.harrison18@nhs.net. Further dates will be added throughout the year.

08 January 2024- New Guidance on Alcohol in Care Homes

The CQC have worked with the University of Bedfordshire to produce guidance for members of the public and care home managers on the availability and management of alcohol in care homes. The guidance is based on a study on alcohol use in care homes which found that residents, families, staff and inspectors felt strongly that people living in care homes should be able to continue drinking alcohol when they move into a home. Speaking about the research and new guidance, CQC's Amy Hopwood said:

“This important research shines a light on the importance of care homes safely supporting their residents to continue drinking alcohol if they wish to, using their professional expertise to balance the risks alongside the individual’s preferences Just like anything else in life that is a matter of taste and choice, how care homes manage alcohol is a strong indicator of how well they are delivering good, safe, personalised care to their residents.”

The research findings and new guidance can be downloaded via the links below

• University of Bedfordshire's Substance Misuse and Ageing Research Team's web pages.
• News story: Guidance on the management of alcohol in care settings
• University of Bedfordshire news story: Keeping the spirits up? Research finds alcohol can be part of having a ‘good life’ in care homes                              

08 January 2024- Directory of Services for Health and Care Professionals This Winter (York Providers)

We know that you and your teams play a vital role in signposting individuals towards the assistance they require, fostering a resilient and healthy community during the challenging winter season. A series of resources have been developed to highlight the support available to York residents to navigate winter with confidence and ensuring that help is readily available when needed the most, outlining the services that are available to support them to stay well in their communities over the winter.

This includes detailed information on a wide range of services that are available for care providers to access clinical support for those in your care. A reminder that for any providers with the Immedicare service in place, this will be your first point of contact for any urgent care concerns (except any threat to life situations which would go via 999). Following a clinical consultation, Immedicare would that make a referral to other services such as GP Practice, Urgent Care Response or Out of Hours GP should a face-to-face visit be deemed appropriate.

These resources are designed to support residents across the City in accessing support this winter, so we would encourage providers to please share with staff and families as appropriate.

DoS Information for Health and Care Professionals

DoS Information for the public

Looking after you and your family this winter - leaflet

North Yorkshire and York Care Provider Support Handbook- How Can We Support You?

08 January 2024- Saint Catherines Hospice- Palliative Care Education Opportunities for Care Providers       

Over the next 12 months Saint Catherine's Hospice will be hosting a further series of virtual and in person education opportunities available to care providers and their staff. Some of these are applicable to providers across the full North Yorkshire area and some are specific to providers within the Scarborough and Ryedale footprint. Further information on the sessions can be found through the below flyers or contacting Education@saintcatherines.org.uk.

• Verification of Expected Death
• Syringe Driver Management
• Introduction to Palliative Care Study Day
• Palliative Care Emergencies Study Day
• Trans Dermal Patches Study Day
• Care Provider Study Day
• Palliative Care Professionals Forum
• Palliative Care Clinics- Monthly Session Devoted to Specific Topic

08 January 2024- Live Well York

At Care Connected we recently held a session sharing the Live Well York platform which is a service run by City of York Council in collaboration with partners providing an online directory of advice, health and wellbeing information, local social groups, activities and events. Please find through this link a poster for the service which may be helpful to promote with your staff and those in your care.