Lockdowns unlock innovation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Information sharing, Innovation, Workforce
People on a zoom screen surrounded by fireworks

Tough as it is, the lockdowns have not stopped social care professionals, organisations and services finding ways to provide amazing support. The restrictions have been hard for everyone involved in social care, but they have also brought opportunities and innovations which have inspired and supported others. SCIE's Ewan King explains more...

Modernising the Mental Health Act

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Consultations and surveys, Mental health

The Government has launched a new white paper and accompanying consultation: Reforming the Mental Health Act. This consultation, which asks for your views on changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA), is the Government's response to the MHA review of 2018, led by Professor Sir Simon Wessely. Mark Trewin, our Mental Health Social Work …

Vaccination without vexation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Communities, coronavirus, Guidance, Workforce
Corona virus subatomic image

On the first day the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was rolled out, HC-Ones Daneside Court care staff were fortunate enough to be among the first to be offered vaccinations. Understandably, there was some nervousness among colleagues around the vaccine being new. As Managing Director of HC-One’s family of care homes. Ruth Yates wanted to lead by example …

PPE portal power

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Communities, coronavirus, Information sharing, Workforce
Care worker wearing mask

When it became apparent that coronavirus was a real and present danger to our communities – and that our health and care workers were on the frontline of the battle to contain it – we knew effective protection for these amazing people would be among our top priorities. The provision and distribution of personal protective …

Looking after yourself and others this festive season

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Communities, coronavirus, Information sharing, Mental health, Workforce
snow globe

As we approach a festive season that will be very different for all of us, Fran Leddra and Mark Harvey, our Chief Social Workers for Adults, offer their hopes, thoughts and heartfelt thanks for the support of health and care colleagues this year. Their message is simple: look after your own mental and physical health …

The boost we needed

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, coronavirus, Information sharing, Public health
Cartoon depicting doctors and nurses vaccinating with giant syringes

After so many months of challenge, set against a nonetheless undimmed determination to endure, the care sector has received some much needed good news. Coming quickly after the emotional boost generated by the resumption of care home visits, supported by testing, the news that Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine has been authorised by the MHRA - and care …

Community and contingency: your flu jab

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: coronavirus, Public health
PHE flu jab poster for care staff

Reena Barai's pharmacy, SG Barai, based in Sutton, Surrey, has for the last few years been offering a flu vaccination service to the public, care homes and their staff. This year, they recognised quite early they were going to have to plan and co-ordinate how they provided their usual service in the midst of a …

Drawing strength from experience

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Communities, coronavirus, Workforce
residents enjoy a fireworks display

It takes more than a global pandemic to dampen spirits in this care home – just ask these care home residents! COVID-19 may have put a stop to much the White Rock Care Home could offer, but with a little creativity and being mindful of measures to prevent cross infection, they have still been able …

Tests, tears and triumphs

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Communities, coronavirus, Guidance
swab test for covid

If someone had told registered manager Melissa Jones three weeks ago her care home would be filled with the voices, laughter and tears of relatives being reunited with loved ones she wouldn’t have believed them. That was until she received an email from Cornwall Council looking for care homes to take part in a pilot …