Adults receiving social care will be better protected by new
guidance for councils and care providers as the government works to
delay the spread of COVID-19.
The new
guidance covers a variety of scenarios relating to care
homes, staff, and providers who care for people in their own
homes to ensure older people and those with pre-existing
conditions and care needs who receive support are best protected.
Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are
much more likely to develop serious complications. Anyone who is
suspected of having COVID-19, with a new continuous cough or high
temperature, should not visit care homes or people receiving home
care, and should self-isolate at home.
People receiving care will be isolated in their rooms if they
have symptoms of coronavirus. To ensure they can continue to
receive the care they require, care staff will use protective
equipment to minimise the risk of transmission.
Building on existing strong local relationships, the NHS will
work with care providers where necessary to make sure people have
the best possible care and remain in the community.
GPs have been asked to look at the possibilities of offering
digital appointments to provide advice and guidance to patients
and potentially their families.
Councils have been told to map out all care and support plans to
prioritise people who are at the highest risk and contact all
registered providers in their local area to facilitate plans for
mutual aid.
Health Secretary said:
I understand how worried people most in need of care will be
about coronavirus, and how concerned families around the
country will be for their loved ones. And I want everyone to
know we are working around the clock to ensure we do everything
possible to reduce the risk vulnerable and elderly people
face.
Public safety is my top priority and we are clear people
in care should follow the same tried and tested protocols
everyone else is following. These include good hand hygiene and
self-isolating where necessary, allowing our fantastic care
workforce to keep them well.
We are working closely with partners from across the social
care sector to ensure local authorities, care providers and our
health and social workforce are prepared to take action to
protect our most vulnerable.
Local authorities will work with the NHS and care providers to
bring together their pre-existing contingency preparations and
make sure each decision is made with the best public health and
clinical advice at its heart.
Minister for Care, , said:
We recognise that we are entering an incredibly challenging
time for people living and working in care and we are working
closely with industry experts to do everything we can to limit
the impact that COVID-19 has on the most vulnerable.
This guidance is an important part of that work. Its aim is to
help the NHS, local government and care providers to work
together to take the best steps to protect those most at risk.
The social care workforce works tremendously hard to care for
people of all ages with complex health needs. I am sincerely
grateful for their commitment to the people they care for, now
more than ever.
As part of the government’s emergency legislation measures,
Statutory Sick Pay will be paid from day one of sickness to
support those affected by COVID-19. Those on zero-hour
contracts will also receive Statutory Sick Pay or will be able
to claim Universal Credit dependent on their circumstances.
