The new and improved action plan announced by the government extends the previous guidance as discussed in our recent post. Some of the key changes are as follows:
Discharge of residents from Hospital to Care Homes
- New policy of testing all residents prior to admission to care homes beginning with all individuals discharged from hospital. If the test results are not received before the patient is discharged the individual should be treated as a COVID-19 positive patient.
- A minority of the population will be discharged from hospital during the 14-day period from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Local care providers will be assessed to see whether they can accommodate symptomatic patients discharged in the 14-day period. If the local care provider does not have capacity, an alternative care provider will be sought by the Local Authority for the remainder of the isolation period.
- If asymptomatic, individuals are required to isolate for the full 14-day period.
Testing for Care Workers
- COVID 19 testing will be available to social care workers and their families across the country. The Government state: “There is now capacity available for every social care worker who needs a test to have one, just as there is for NHS staff and their families”.
Use of technology
- As social interaction becomes more and more restricted the government have been looking at new ways to encourage communication especially to those within social care. The Government have launched a TechForce19 competition to innovators to support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating to enable remote care facilities both in care homes and domiciliary care.
Optimising individual’s independence and supporting unpaid carers
- There is a continuing expectation on local authorities to be more flexible with the use of direct payments to enable individuals to control how their needs are met during the pandemic. For more information on direct payments use please click here.
Are you an unpaid carer?
- Unpaid carers are recognised as playing a vital role within the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for government guidance for those who provide unpaid care.
Moore and Tibbits appreciate and recognise that these are unprecedented times for the care sector and have set up a dedicated care law support line should you require assistance.
Please call our dedicated Care Law Support Line: 01926 354704
