NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency have created a toolkit of resources to raise awareness of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) prevention, symptom recognition and treatment which includes advice on how and when to seek help.
The action plan sets out how the government will support the adult social care sector in England through COVID-19. It is applicable for all care settings including people’s homes, residential care homes and nursing homes. See Section 1 for guidance on controlling the spread of infection in care settings.
Primary vaccination course:
The current offer of first and second Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone (aged five on or before 31 August last year) will end on 30 June 2023.
After 30 June, it will not be possible to receive a first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine outside a seasonal campaign.
Those who enter care homes or turn 75 after 30 June are not eligible for further vaccination until the autumn programme begins. However, newly immunosuppressed individuals should continue to be offered vaccination through the summer period.
Those who become newly immunosuppressed after 30 June will be able to access vaccination outside a seasonal campaign due to the risks to their health.
Seasonal COVID-19 Vaccination:
After 30 June 2023 COVID-19 vaccination will only be available as a booster to identified high risk groups.
Details of these groups may change from season to season so it is vital to refer to seasonal guidance and COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a - GOV.UK for details of eligible individuals.
COVID-19 testing in adult social care settings
Over the last year COVID-19 testing practices and routines have changed considerably in all adult social care settings. UK Government has created quick reference guides on testing routes available in adult social care settings.
The guidance: Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement summarises when specific testing cycles may be indicated.
Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
Guidance has changed over the last year aligning management of Covid-19 to other season respiratory infections. Further information relating to management of symptomatic staff can be found by referring to the Guidance:
This should be read in conjunction with the following guidance:
COVID-19: managing healthcare staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection
The NHS is offering antibody and antiviral treatments to people with Covid-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill. Further information in relation to this is available via the independent report: Higher-risk patients eligible for COVID-19 treatments: independent advisory group report (March 2023)
Eligible people can use a positive lateral flow test (LFT) to be referred for treatment. It is important that treatment starts within five days of a positive test. Most people who have conditions that put them in the highest risk category will have been contacted directly with information about how to get these treatments if needed.
Treatments for Covid-19 are for people aged 12 and over who:
If you think you, or someone you care for, is eligible for these treatments you can contact your GP surgery, when you have a positive test, and request a referral to the assessment unit. It depends on what other medication people are taking whether they can have the treatment, so all patients must be clinically assessed.
You should make sure you have a stock of lateral flow tests, and test at the first sign of symptoms. Order test kits online or call 119.
Health Education England (HEE)
The Coronavirus programme has been created by Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH).
It is freely available to colleagues working in the NHS, independent sector, and social care. The resources are organised by role. Online registration is required to access the modules.
HEE has also produced a PowerPoint presentation setting out its support for care homes during COVID-19. The presentation includes local contact details, e-learning resources and comprehensive listings of HEE YouTube training and information videos for care homes, including sepsis and soft signs of deterioration.
Skills for Care
Skills for Care have produced a number of resources that include practical ways for frontline care managers to help manage their time. It covers time management techniques and provides access to a new self-assessment tool. It also provides examples of how other managers have successfully been able to prioritise their time in response to COVID-19 and share their tips with others.
Creative Connection
Creative Connection have produced a delirium awareness video. Acute infections like COVID-19 may be linked to delirium. Delirium is a condition that is sometimes misunderstood and like many conditions needs early intervention and management to enable a positive outcome. Typically, delirium can affect a person post operatively and can be quite alarming to carers and loved ones. This video describes the condition and can be quite reassuring to those caring for a person who may have presented with delirium. If you are concerned about a person in your care please contact your local health care team for guidance.
Please see below for some useful resources that can help you in supporting staff or clients who are concerned about having the COVID-19 vaccine or booster
The ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has developed some useful guidance for employers.
UK Health Security Agency have produced a COVID-19 vaccination guide for adults. This is available in a range of languages and formats. There are also additional frequently asked questions.
A video from Dr Sarah Jarvis on her top tips for how best to reassure those who may be concerned about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The latest COVID advice for British Muslims can be accessed here: The Muslim Council of Great Britain (MCB) website holds Coronavirus information.
The Catholic Church has published an update on COVID-19 and vaccination which offers reassurance messages that Catholics may “in good conscience receive any of these vaccines for the good of others and themselves”.
In the London Borough of Lambeth, a GP from a high-risk group was filmed having their vaccination. This can be viewed on YouTube.
A further YouTube video called "If you could save someone's life", addresses questions and concerns people may have about taking the vaccine.
This video by DHSC talks to staff in a care home in Manchester who have recently vaccinated their residents and staff.
General FAQs on the Sussex Health & Care website give further information on the vaccines being used.
NHS New Top Tips sheets - COVID-19 vaccination – supporting people with a learning disability and people with Autism
NHS England has distributed these documents for vaccinators, which provide top tips on communicating with people with a learning disability and autistic people and highlight the range of reasonable adjustments that should be considered to ensure that a vaccination appointment goes well.
Covid vaccine information for those supporting people with Learning Disabilities
Learning Disability England (LDE) has written a guide about the coronavirus vaccine for people and organisations that offer paid support to people with learning disabilities, provider organisations or personal assistants.
This guide is available on the Paradigm website and is designed to help them prepare the people they support to make a decision about having the Coronavirus vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for adults
The UK Health Security Agency has published information leaflets about the vaccine available in a variety of languages – please make these available to your teams proactively to help encourage uptake of the vaccine.
British Sign Language (BSL) resources
A range of BSL video guides relating to vaccination are available to download via the Gov.uk website.
