Care Sector
Welcome to our new and improved bulletin, we have now gone fortnightly. Following your feedback, we have altered the format.
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Here you will find all the latest news, information and events happening across the care sector.
This week: 16th May 2022
1. News and Updates
Lancashire and South Cumbria Care Home VC Project - Introduction to Care Home technology
Are you currently using technology in your care home? Using technology and new ways of working can improve outcomes for your residents and staff.
Join one of our FREE workshops to learn about the different tools and support available and how you can get set-up and make the most of it. Click here to find out more about the workshops.
Care Home outbreak testing flowchart
Please click here to see the flowchart for outbreak testing of staff and residents in care homes.
Excess stock of blankets and gowns
If you have any excess stock of blankets and gowns from the hospital, please contact ELHT who will collect them from you - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Excess stock of therapy equipment
If you have any excess stock of therapy equipment you can contact Homewise in Altham - http://homewiseonline.org/
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 01254 232249 (24 hour answer phone)
Address: Unit 3 Allied House, Burnley Road, Altham BB5 5TW
PPE Aprons Available to Care Sector
The CCG have a surplus of aprons currently stored at Accrington Victoria Hospital. If you would like some, please complete and return this form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Palliative and End of Life Care Virtual Conference
On Tuesday 17th May 2022 - St. Ann’s Hospice / Stockport Foundation Trust will hold the conference. This will focus on diverse aspects of palliative and end of life care in the digital age. The course is designed for palliative and end of life care and hospice professionals and will also be of interest for health and social care practitioners from any care setting supporting individuals with life limiting conditions. For further information please click here.
Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Awards
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Apprenticeship Awards launches this year as the first ever system-wide celebration of our apprentices.
Nominations from the 11 award categories are open to organisations, training providers, or apprentices themselves from across social care, primary care, local authorities and Trusts.
Nominees must be working towards, or have recently (in the last 12 months) completed an apprenticeship in an NHS, health or social care organisation within the region of Lancashire and South Cumbria.
The awards ceremony will take place at Stanley House in Blackburn on Friday 17 June. Click here to find out more.
2. Pathway
ICAT contact details
Pathway update
Work is underway to expand the service to LD and MH homes and the domiciliary sector.
If you are experiencing any difficulties with clients who have fallen and are on the floor (especially if you have contacted 999 and you have been advised that there might be a long wait for an ambulance), please call ICAT who can facilitate a 2 hour response to avoid the person being on the floor for a long period of time.
8am-10pm (7 days) Contact ICAT Service for advice Tel: 01282 805 989
After 10pm (7 days) Contact OOH District Nursing Team on the same number – 01282 805 989
The ICAT service now have a single point of access, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for advice and for logging falls.
Alternative Telemedicine Pathway for Reg Care V9 26.08.2021
Dementia services
Please see this link for Dementia services across Pennine Lancashire www.yoursupportyourchoice.org.uk/dementia-services.
Promoting access to cancer screenings for people with a learning disability
North Cancer Alliance website: https://northerncanceralliance.nhs.uk/?s=learning+disabilities
Falls Lifting Service
The service can help reduce the discomfort and stress of residents who have fallen, as well as the demand on North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). I am writing to let you know that you are now able to access the 24 hour service without charge, by calling the Progress Lifeline Control Centre on 01772 436 783 in the event of a fall where there is no obvious injury. The emergency home responders (EHRs) are trained in injury assessment and moving and handling people. They use a battery operated mobile lifting chair called a ‘Raizer’ that helps people off the floor to an almost standing position, making it easier for them to transfer from the chair. The EHRs will usually attend your residential or nursing home within 1 hour of being contacted, the average response time is just 27 minutes. On arrival they will complete an initial triage to establish if the patient is suitable to lift. If they think there is an injury, or it’s unsafe for the person to be lifted, NWAS will be contacted. Otherwise, they will lift the patient and then refer onward to other services, such as local falls prevention, if appropriate. The team have been issued with PPE and will be wearing this prior to entering the premises, they have all received infection control training, which includes the disposal or decontamination of PPE and equipment between visits. Onward referral to falls local prevention services (where patient consent is obtained) is part of the offer. If you have any questions about the service, please don’t hesitate to contact Steven McKiernan at Progress Housing Group or Kenneth John at BwD & East Lancs CCGs. Contact details :Steven Mckiernan, Service Delivery Manager, t: 01772 450642, m: 07765231213, e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Policies & Procedures
Advanced Care Planning Guide
In Pennine Lancs we recommend care providers conduct an Advance Care Planning Guide to enable improvements in resident care.
Advance care planning is a process that enables individuals to make plans about their future health care. Advance care plans provide direction to health and care professionals when a person is not in a position to make and/or communicate their own healthcare choices. Advance care planning is applicable to adults at all stages of life. Participation in advance care planning has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety for patients and their families, and lead to improvements in end of life care. Older adults are more directly concerned as they may experience a situation where advance care planning can be useful.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like a digital copy of the guide.
Safe admission into Care homes
Please find below the revised care settings admissions policy statement.
Care settings admissions policy statement
Sample Nursing Home Safeguarding Policy with Care Act v4
Revised and updated Sample Safeguarding Policy for regulated care to utilise as you wish.
Sample Nursing Home Safeguarding Policy v4
Homely remedies policy
A homely remedy is a medicinal preparation used to treat minor ailments, which can be bought over the counter and does not require a prescription. These
“Homely remedy” products are kept in a Care Home to allow access to products which would commonly be available in any household.
Please see the ELMMB Homely Remedies policy. These template can be used and adapted for use if desired.
Please also view CQC guidance regarding over the counter medicines -
https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/adult-social-care/over-counter-medicines-homely-remedies
4. Training opportunities
RESTORE2
RESTORE2 FREE online training and resources to help your home to detect deteriorating residents
Recognising when a resident’s health is deteriorating is important, particularly at this critical time. Together the Innovation Agency (NWC AHSN) and Clinical Commissioning Groups are working to enhance the confidence of care homes staff in detecting and appropriately escalating deteriorating residents
We would like to ask that all Care homes book onto a session via this link as soon as possible. They are held every Tuesday at 1pm.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restore-2-online-training-session-tickets-103421153454
RESTORE2™
Dates available:
Wed 11th May 2022: 13.30 - 16.30
The aim of this half day free session is to provide the underpinning knowledge for nursing home staff using the RESTORE2™ tool in practice.
This session will discuss the RESTORE tool and how is used to recognise early signs of deterioration, support decision making and promote effective communication between health and care services
RESTORE2™ MINI
Thurs 5th May 2022: 13.00 - 16.00
RESTORE2™ MINI is a condensed version and is an ideal first step for residential care homes and care in the home staff that are new to the “soft signs” and using structured communication. RESTORE2TM mini is designed to be used anywhere, without the need for special equipment. The aim of this half day free session is to provide the underpinning knowledge for staff using the RESTORE2™ tool in practice “how are you today” and taking notice of relatives.
Learning outcomes
- What is RESTORE2/RESTORE2™ MINI? – the tool and its use.
- Soft signs – identifying deterioration.
- Understanding the person you are caring for
- Vital signs and NEWS2 – Vital signs and NEWS2 scoring
- Escalation – monitoring and seeking appropriate support
- Structured communication - use of the SBARD tool to communicate concerns
Method of learning: Microsoft Teams
The training is entirely online learning which is led by a tutor in real time. You will need access to a computer and internet during all the training, preferably the trainer will need to be able to see and hear from you as the training will be interactive.
There is pre-course work with both sessions designed to take no longer than 90 mins to complete. Read the case study and complete a reflection. Identify a resident you have looked after in the past who deteriorated while you were looking after them. It’s important for you to have access to the documents both before and during the course, as you’ll need to refer to them as part of the training.
Please book places for your staff via the spreadsheet attached & return to Simone Martland This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible. As spaces are limited, we request that you register a maximum of 3 staff from each care organisation, however please let us know if more staff are interested and if there is space on the course, we will accommodate them.
LD RESTORE2
Identifying early signs of worsening health in a person with a learning disability – specific training for carers
PEG Feed Training
Fresenuius Kabi provide PEG Feed training. Contact them on 0800 121 8300 with the details of the client using a PEG feed and they will arrange for one of their nurses to contact you.
NECS Capacity Tracker Provider Training Sessions April – May 2022
NECS Capacity tracker team has set up training sessions are for anyone new to using the Capacity Tracker. The sessions will cover the basics such as registering and inputting data, and provide an overview of the reports section.
| Provider Type | Date | Time | Link |
| Care Home | 21st April 2022 | 11.00am - 11.30am | Click here to join the meeting |
| Care Home | 24th May 2022 | 1.00pm - 1.30pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| Home Care | 19th April 2022 | 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| Home Care | 19th May 2022 | 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Click here to join the meeting |
| Hospice | 28th April 2022 | 11.00am - 11.30am | Click here to join the meeting |
| Hospice | 25th May 2022 | 9.30am - 10.00am | Click here to join the meeting |
Appliance Prescription Service Care Home and Domiciliary Carer Training
The Appliance Prescription Service are based in ELHT and the team is comprised of trained administrators and Specialist Nurses who work on behalf of GP’s in primary care, to ensure all stoma and continence appliances are prescribed appropriately. The team works within the community alongside district nursing teams, bladder and bowel service, stoma team and specialist urology nurses.
There is now an offer of ongoing training to care homes on a rolling basis. It lasts for one hour and is currently taking place virtually over Microsoft Teams. However, the aim is to get back into Care Homes face to face as soon as possible! If you are interested in your care home staff receiving a session (or more) please contact the team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0800 953 9005 option 1 and you will be booked in.
Symptom management and syringe driver sessions announced by St Catherine’s Hospice
St Catherine’s Hospice has added some new symptom management and syringe driver online study sessions to its calendar of courses for health and social care professionals.
Please follow the links below to learn more:
- Symptom Management Part 1, (6th May, 9.30am-12.30pm), to learn about the 5 common end of life symptoms:
- Pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dyspnoea
- Respiratory secretions
- Agitation/restlessness
- Symptom Management Part 2, (21st June, 1.30pm-4.30pm), will cover:
- Fatigue/energy levels
- Oedema/ascites
- Urinary output and bowel management
- Sleeping
- Lack of appetite
- Mouth problems and care
The hospice is also delivering Syringe Drivers (CSCI) and Basic Symptom Management:
- Syringe Drivers (CSCI), (23rd May, 1.30pm-4.30pm), covering:
- Indications/rationale for commencing use of a syringe driver
- Drug compatibility/incompatibility
- Siting of the needle
- Useful tips when in use
- Trouble shooting – problems you may encounter and how to manage them
- McKinley T34 practical
- Basic Symptom Management, (14th July, 9.30am-12.30pm), covering:
- Review of the 5 common end of life symptoms
- Explore ways in which we can support each of these common symptoms
- To gain a toolkit of non-pharmacological methods of supporting these symptoms
- To review and explain how symptom management is an important part of the care planning process
- Re-familiarizing ourselves with the importance of communication skills when managing common end of life symptoms.
Technical syringe driver sessions
There is also a T34 syringe driver session available from CME medical which offers technical training – T34 e-learning training (skillsplatform.org).
Care Home MUST training sessions
The nutrition prescription team are based in ELHT and work to ensure all nutritional prescriptions (oral nutritional supplements) are processed and prescribed appropriately. They work alongside the community dietitians but are a separate team, working with the GP practices in primary care to maintain the ONS budgets and prevent inappropriate prescribing.
There is now an offer of ongoing training in malnutrition and MUST usage to care homes on a rolling basis. It lasts 1 hour and is currently taking place virtually over Microsoft teams. However, the aim is to get back into Care Homes face to face as soon as possible! If you are interested in your care home staff receiving a session (or more) please contact the team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0800 953 9005 option 2 and you will be booked in.
Medicines Awareness Training
Medicines Awareness Training delivered by the Specialist Medicines Optimisation Team via MS Teams.
Session will take place on –
10th May 2022 2.00pm-3.00pm Topic of the day will be Refresher Back to Basics + Missed & Refused Doses
7th June 2022 2.00pm-3.00pm Topic of the day will be Refresher Back to Basics + Time Sensitive Medicines
12th July 2022 2.00pm-3.00pm Topic of the day will be Refresher Back to Basics + When Required Medicines
Please use this link https://bookwhen.com/regulatedcare to access the booking page and book places for your staff.
Bookwhen Guide New Version 2021
FREE Cyber Security and Data Protection Training
LSCP are extending the FREE Cyber Security & Data Protection Training Offer for owners and managers. Click one of the links to find out more.
Frailty E-Learning
Frailty E-Learning for excellence in frailty identification, assessment and personalised care - https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/frailty/
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Training Guide
HLSC Social Care Training Pack April 2022
Online training diabetes programme for Care Homes
Sanofi have announced a national online training diabetes programme for Care Homes called Sanofi Cares. The programme has been independently developed by EDEN (leics diabetes) and will be delivered by EDEN. It is available across the UK for registered and non registered practitioners who care for people with diabetes in care homes. Up to 4 places per care home available. https://www.diabetesmatters.co.uk/sanoficares.html
COVID 19 / PPE IPC Training
Do you or your staff need PPE refresher training or do you have any new starters? If so contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (IPC Nurse) who can arrange this at your convenience via Zoom or MS Teams.
5. Coronavirus & Vaccinations
Testing requirements for all visiting professionals
Please ensure staff are familiar with guidance surrounding testing requirements for visiting professionals. Evidence of a negative lateral flow test, taken within the last 72 hours should be provided prior to entry.
Visiting professionals
Health, social care and other professionals may need to visit residents within care homes to provide services. Visiting professionals should follow the same advice as in the section above on visiting precautions. PPE usage is recommended in line with guidance above. NHS staff and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors should be testing regularly as set out below. Any other visiting professionals should be tested with tests provided by the care home if they are providing personal care, as per the guidance for visitors providing personal care.
NHS staff
Care homes can ask the NHS professional when they were last tested. The professional should provide evidence of a negative rapid lateral flow test within 72 hours to show they are following the NHS staff testing regime. This may be an email or text from reporting the result, a date stamped photo of the test cartridge, or any other proof. If the individual has not been tested within 72 hours (or is unable to provide proof) and it is not possible to test prior to entry, the care home will need to make a risk-based decision regarding whether to permit entry, taking into account the reason for and urgency of the visit.
In emergency visits such as a 999 response, it’s not appropriate to ask for proof before entry to a care home, given the potential delay this could cause and the implications for prompt management of the emergency situation. Further guidance is given below.
Where the manager makes a risk-based decision to allow entry of someone without evidence of a negative test, all IPC measures must continue to be followed to mitigate the risk, including correct use of PPE, cleaning, ventilation and distancing.
It should be noted however, that all NHS professionals visiting care homes must follow the NHS testing regime and be testing twice a week.
The majority of NHS professionals will be using rapid lateral flow testing for their regular testing regime. However, if a professional falls under a different NHS testing regime which uses PCR or loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing, the individual will also need to demonstrate that they are testing in line with NHS policy for that testing technology. Given the importance of NHS staff testing regularly to ensure the safety of their patients, and the role of care home managers to keep their care homes safe, if care homes have any problems with NHS staff not following this policy, they should contact their CCG chief nurse.”
Post Booster Vaccine Advice
FAO Managers -
Please ensure staff are aware of how to care for residents after their Covid Spring Booster Vaccine.
Please click here to see the poster which can be displayed within the care home.
IPC in Adult Social Care
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-covid-19-supplement/covid-19-supplement-to-the-infection-prevention-and-control-resource-for-adult-social-care
Summary of changes to IPC in Adult Social Care
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-covid-19-supplement/summary-of-changes-to-covid-19-guidance-for-adult-social-care-providers
Covid 19 Testing in Adult Social Care
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-adult-social-care-settings
How to use different Lateral Flow Test Kits
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-adult-social-care-settings/how-to-use-your-rapid-lateral-flow-test
National IPC Manual
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/C1244_National-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-for-England_April-2022_v1.1.pdf
6. Domiciliary Care
There is no new information this week. All previous guidance can be located in the last edition, below.
8. Digital IT & Data
Digitalise Social Care
Liverpool Social Care Partnership (SCP) is leading a research project commissioned by the Better Security, Better Care programme on behalf of the Department of Health. The insight we get from this project will transform the sector by supporting those who use social care to make more informed choices about digital security which will, in turn, help identify how to further develop your services as a care provider.
Hence, it is asked that you circulate the leaflets linked below which provide information about the project and how service users can keep their data safe. Attached is a digital version that can be put up on websites and a printed version to hand out for convenience.
The current assessment framework from CQC is based around five key questions, key lines of enquiry, ratings, legal standards and fundamental standards, with the use and security of records and data already covered within these.
In particular, question C3.3 from the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) asks: “How are people assured that information about them is treated confidentially…?” And question W2.8 asks: “How does the service satisfy itself that it has robust arrangements… in line with data security standards?”
Digital Social Care Latest News
Digital Social Care April newsletter
https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk/latest-news/
If you would like to sign up to regular newsletter please visit https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk/newsletter-signup/
Updated NHSmail Frequently Asked Questions
NHSmail Application Process
DSPT waiver period ended 30th June 2021.
From 1st July onwards, all care providers requesting an NHSmail account are required to be compliant for the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT) https://www.dsptoolkit.nhs.uk
Once the care provider is DSPT compliant follow the link https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk/covid-19-guidance/covid-19-quick-access-to-nhsmail/nhsmail-fast-track-how-to/ to apply for NHSmail accounts.
Send the completed form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If the care provider has not received an acknowledgement in 8 calendar days or experiencing difficulties in completing the form, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Note: The NHSmail application form is update regularly on the Digital Social Care Website please visit the website to obtain the most up to date application form https://www.digitalsocialcare.co.uk
Digital Social Care
Digital Social Care is a dedicated space to provide advice and support to the sector on technology and data protection.
Digital Social Care - Run by social care providers for social care providers.
9. Key dates, information and resources
Prescqipp Update
Due to the forming of the Integrated Care Systems (ICS) Prescqipp are updating the e-learning platform.
If you are already registered under ELCCG for the e-learning, then a licence code will need to be entered as per the attached flyers. If you are not registered, then follow the instructions on the flyers below:
Medicines use in care homes - course 1
Medicines use in care homes - course 2
Medicines use in care homes - course 3
Care home medicines management resources
Please see the below information
Accurately listing a residents medicines
How to record and review a significant incident
Pennine Lancs Care Sector Provider Forum
Following your feedback, there is now time allotted at the end of each forum to allow you to have discussions between yourselves. All other system colleagues will dial off to give a space for you to chat with each other.
Last Tuesday of every other month, 2pm-3.30pm - No need to book, use this link to join on the dates listed below Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
2022 Dates -
28th June
30th August
25th October
If there is anything you would like to see on the agenda please let us know by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Coffee and Chat
Join us for a coffee and chat session to have your say! The purpose of these sessions are to support the Care sector to provide high quality and safe services and to be a fully integrated part of the Pennie Lancashire Health and Social Care service delivery model by listening to, learning from and working together. Please use this MS teams link to dial in at 2pm on the dates below, no need to book. Click here to join the meeting We look forward to seeing you there.
Second Wednesday of each month, 2pm-3pm - No need to book Click here to join the meeting on the dates listed below.
2022 Dates -
11th May
8th June
13th July
10th August
14th September
10. Spotlight on: our feature about you, your residents, staff and settings
Acorn House
Please click here to enter and view reports for Blackburn with Darwen.
11. Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing Bulletin
A monthly health and wellbeing bulletin launched for CCG, core ICS and embedded CSU colleagues working across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
The February Edition is available to view here
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Social Care Wellbeing Toolkit
Wellbeing guidance and resources tool for social care, which brings together a range of easy to use, bite size resources and information support around finance and wider support.
Previous Editions
Issue 25, 31st May 2021
Issue 24, 17th May 2021
Issue 23, 10th May 2021
Issue 22, 26th April 2021
Issue 21, 19th April 2021
Issue 20, 12th April 2021
Issue 19, 6th April 2021
Issue No 18 29th March 2021
Issue No 17, 22nd March 2021
Issue No 16, 15th March 2021
Issue No 15, 8th March 2021
Issue No 14, 1st March 2021
Issue No 13, 22nd February 2021
Issue No 12, 15th February 2021
Issue No 11, 8th February 2021
Issue No 10, 1st February 2021
Issue No 9, 25th January 2021
Issue No 8, 18th January 2021
Issue No 7, 11th January 2021
Issue No 6, 14th December 2020
Issue No 5, 7th December2020
Issue No 4, 30th November 2020
Issue No 3, 20th November 2020
Issue No 2, 13th November 2020
Issue No 1, 6th November 2020
Please be aware that the Connect email address remains operational. You can report any issues or good news in relation to any local health care services to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Queries? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Questions? Go to: https://eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/
Facebook us: Pennine Lancashire Regulated Care Providers | Facebook
Peer Support - Whatsapp Group: Would you like to join the local Pennine Lancs Care Peer Support whatsapp group? If so please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 07780224847 to arrange to be added.