News and Resources
- What we’ve been up to at the RCPA!
We are now in the run up and last weeks to The Care Conference, please see information included in this bulletin, (if you haven’t already registered, would urge you to as soon as possible as limited spaces available). We hope you will find the day enjoyable as well as informative with some light entertainment, delicious lunch, and refreshments, ‘give aways’ and raffle on the day. We have added some updates and details to workshops in the last few days to help you decide which options to choose. Look out for the weekly highlights too. This year our trade exhibitors will be allocated across two areas, ground and 1st floor, which will allow more room to mix and mingle, also improved options for lunch with the backdrop of what promises to be some great entertainment!
Aside from conference planning, making up hampers and prizes for raffles (we’ve been told we do this well) and meeting entertainers, coordinating speakers and workshops, time slots and IT, with Laura and Diana managing registrations and queries with aplomb, we have been developing the exclusive members only WhatsApp group. Apologies for the delay but we want to ensure it’s as seamless as possible… We are pleased to announce that this will be live from Wednesday 9th October. Please contact admin@rcpa.org.uk to ask to be added to the group. Please note that by joining the WhatsApp group, members accept the group terms of reference (TORs) which are available from
On the radar…following up on OMMT with the ICB to ensure access/places on the lived experience training (announced recently and in ASC briefing), digital project work including free support for DSPT continues, international recruitment support for providers, ASC briefing development, patient group directive (PGD) for pain relief post falls, supporting a BU student placement with Trusted Assessors, meeting with MPs and Somerset Council, to advance our cause and member challenges and concerns, to name a few!
Finally, did you see us featured in the Trusted Assessor blog for ‘The Care magazine’? https://issuu.com/cimonline/docs/care_home_september_2024/10
- CQC updates – SAF project
Sharing this and encouraging members to take part in the survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cpasafreview The survey will close at 5pm on Sunday 20th October.
In case you missed the announcement from CQC this week:
‘Sir Julian Hartley will be appointed as CQC’s new Chief Executive. He has been the Chief Executive of NHS Providers since February 2023, prior to which he had a distinguished career as Chief Executive of several organisations, most recently 10 years as Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Start date is yet to be confirmed. The full announcement is available on our website
- Mpox update as of 7/10/24
There are currently no cases of mpox clade I in the UK. Please do refer to guidance from a recent bulletin which remains unchanged with pathways and advice for suspected cases of mpox or any HCID (high consequence infectious disease). At the time of writing, there are no cases of mpox clade I in the UK.
Relevant guidance
The ‘HCID Mpox (Clade I): Guidance on the management of staff working in health and social care settings who have returned from countries currently affected by mpox clade 1’ guidance is still yet to be published to emphasise the importance of following current IPC measures and the promotion of good IPC practice.
Current guidance and advice can be found at:: Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) & High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Mpox Vaccine
UKHSA published a press release on 16 September 2024 which provides more information around the Government’s plans and support to boost the country’s resilience and to support the international effort to control the disease.
This UKHSA press release also provides information on who should be offered vaccination, based on expert advice.
UK secures more vaccines to help boost resilience against mpox – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- eNOID
The Health Protection Board have shared the new process issues by the Health Security Agency for the electronic Notification of Infectious Diseases (eNOID).
This process is applicable for registered medical practitioners. Registered medical practitioner means doctors (covers all doctors – NHS and private), this is in the legislation but practically it can be delegated to other staff members. In care homes it may be usual for the manager or nurse in charge do the notifications rather than GPs. Please see attached.
Events
- MNM Tuesday 15th October; 14.00-15.30hrs
Trull Memorial Village Hall, Church Rd, Trull, Taunton TA3 7JZ
Hybrid joining options available, TEAMs link below –
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 319 134 990 459
Passcode: QRySBN
(To facilitate TEAMs on the day, please can you forward any questions for presenters to hilary.robinson@rcpa.org.uk by COB Monday 14th October).
Agenda to include (not necessarily in this order)
– VAT for care providers: Jock Waugh of Kieran Lynch & Co will be making a presentation on the ‘Key Considerations for VAT Welfare Restructuring’. This will cover what it is exactly, and the key points required to implement the planning. He will also discuss the current timeline to achieve the VAT benefits and the position of funders in accepting this planning.
– Medical examiner system: Following on from the national Death Certification Reforms and the Medical Examiner system becoming mandatory across England & Wales, we welcome Helen Waldon, RGN, Implementation Lead – Somerset Medical Examiner Service and Head of Bereavement & Medical Examiner Services, SFT. Helen will be joining us in person to talk about the implementation of the Medical Examiner system across Somerset, the aims of the system and how it works. She will also talk about how any concerns would be escalated from the ME or the family to the care providers.
– Borderless: We will also be joined by Will Murch, from our sponsors, Borderless. “Home Office Insights: Navigating Sponsorship Trends” where Will shares insights with the Home Office, what they have seen changing and Labour govt’s potential reforms/changes in this area.
– Domiciliary care focus
There will be protected time, appx 15-20 mins at the end of this MNM for Domiciliary care members, any Qs, and issues you would like to raise. Next MNM focus will be on LD.
(Please note due to the upcoming conference, there won’t be an MNM in November).
- RCPA Annual Conference
‘THE Care Conference for Somerset, hosted by the RCPA’
Train to Retain
Venue: Taunton Racecourse
Date: Tuesday 12th November 2024
Times: 9.15am until 4.15pm
Member fee – £70 per ticket
Non-member fee – £100 per ticket
For information on the guest speaker, workshops available and the full programme, please see attached.
To book your space, please fill out the attached booking form and return to admin@rcpa.org.uk
From our Partners
- Borderless
Webinar: Compliance 101: Safeguarding Your Business Against Fines and Licence Revocation
How well is your business set up to handle UK immigration compliance?
Join us on October 22 at 11:00 AM for a live discussoon featuring Matthew Bond, CEO & Co-Founder, Borderless, and Lul Salah, Senior Immigration Advisor, where they’ll share their expert strategies to help you stay compliant and avoid costly fines or licence revocation.
What You’ll Learn:
- The essential steps for maintaining compliance
- How to avoid fines and licence revocation
- Best practices for ongoing compliance management
- The consequences of non-compliance and how to steer clear
- An interactive Q&A session with our experts
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights that will safeguard your business from potential risks.
Click here to register now
- Optimise Workplace Wellbeing
***LEVEL 3 AWARD IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID SPECIAL OFFER***
Optimise Workplace Wellbeing are delighted to be partnering with and hosting our Mental Health First Aid Qualification at The Beautiful Mount Somerset Hotel.
Come and join us for 2 full days of learning which will see you gain your recognised and accredited, level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid, which is valid for 3 years.
When: Tuesday 15th and Tuesday 22nd October
Timings: 9.30am-5.30pm both days
Where: The Mount Somerset Hotel, Henlade, Taunton, TA3 5NB (Near Taunton, just off junction 25 of the M5)
SPECIAL OFFER:
Just £195 for RCPA Members
Includes all training materials, certificate and aftercare support package
(usual cost £295 + VAT)
Find more info here:
https://www.optimiseworkplacewellbeing.co.uk/service/mental-health-first-aid-training/
Digital News
The clock is ticking to apply for digital funding
Are you still using paper to for your care records? Are you a CQC registered care provider? If so, you can apply for funding to help you move to a digital social care record.
But time is running out! Applications for funding need to be made in the next few months. Make sure to contact your integrated care system to apply for funding before it’s too late!
For more information about the funding available please contact: digitisationinsocialcare@somerset.gov.uk