The Self Care Forum believes awareness weeks are vital for encouraging people to make better choices about their health and wellbeing. Chair, Helen Donovan, explains how we can all help make the change...
Homecare workers have demonstrated outstanding commitment, compassion and selflessness throughout the pandemic and have enabled around 850,000 older and disabled people to live safely and well at home. Vaccination of the 715,000 strong homecare workforce and the people they support is vital to protect their health and wellbeing. The more vaccines given, the more lives saved, so time is of the essence.
Care home colleagues have been at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus. They have demonstrated resilience, agility and flexibility to protect and look after some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Amidst all the challenges, a spotlight has been shone on the true value of partnership working and the sharing of expertise and knowledge - never more so than in the realm of infection prevention control.
"I run a domiciliary care service supporting children and adults with complex health needs in their own homes. As the Director and Registered Manager of Elite Care Solutions in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, it is part of my role to share information and updates with staff to help them make informed decisions about testing and whether or not to have the COVID-19 vaccination."
"There was something about the way we marched up the path to the care home, cool box in one hand, sharps bin in the other, scrubs on and masks pulled across our faces. We had a determined walk which caught the attention of residents and their staff, faces pushed up against the glass and little dances of joy. Our little army of nurses carried the COVID-19 vaccines inside."
As far back as early December 2020, care home provider Barchester Healthcare did everything possible to protect staff and residents from the infection risks posed by COVID-19. The introduction of lateral flow device (LFD) tests allowed them to further enhance their infection control measures...
Louis Laleye is a physiotherapist at a Royal Star & Garter care home in High Wycombe. He caught COVID-19 in March 2020 and later took part in the antibody trial. He explains why he decided to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
The roll out of new vaccines has offered a ray of hope during this challenging time. Deborah Sturdy, our Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care is delighted so many care home staff and residents have now been offered their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Deborah emphasises just how vital it it that everyone who can take up the offer of vaccination does so when their turn comes. She received the first dose recently and will be taking up the second in the next few months.
Skills for Care launched its monthly podcast series ‘The Care Exchange’ in November 2020. In each edition, its hosts talk to social care leaders and managers and invite them to share their experiences and learning, inspiring other managers and reassuring them they are not alone in the challenges they face.
In the current situation, opportunities to network with other managers are scarce, but listening to their podcast conversations is easy. Taking time to listen might also help your wellbeing - find out more!
Three effective COVID-19 vaccines are now approved for use in the UK. With their approval, and the rapid expansion of vaccination sites across the country, the national NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is progressing at pace to reach the most vulnerable, working in line with the priorities set by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). It is a testament to the importance of the work of health and social care staff that they have been prioritised by the JCVI to receive vaccination.
Clenton Farquharson's family have had many heated debates about the new COVID-19 vaccines and whether or not to take them. Clenton believes this is a common worry among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, fueled by misinformation and a shortfall in efforts to assuage concerns about safety. He writes for the Social Care blog now to counter these issues, encourage honest conversations and presents a short video demonstrating how getting a COVID-19 vaccination is no big deal at all.