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Care homes to get free PPE under new winter plan

Care homes will be provided with free PPE until March under new government plans aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus in the sector over winter.

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The Care Quality Commission may be asked to take ‘strong action’ against care providers that are deemed not to be doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus (picture: Getty)
The Care Quality Commission may be asked to take ‘strong action’ against care providers that are deemed not to be doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus (picture: Getty)
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Care homes to get free PPE as part of new winter plan #UKHousing

Care homes will be provided with free PPE until March, under new government plans aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus in the sector over winter #UKHousing

Providers must also stop all but essential movement of staff between care homes to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Social Care published its adult social care winter plan on Friday, which followed the government’s announcement the day before of an extra £546m to help care providers pay staff full wages when they are self-isolating and allow employees to operate in only one care home, to reduce the risk of infection.

Care workers and adults receiving social care will have access to free PPE, while a new dashboard intended to monitor care-home infections is being set up to help councils and providers respond quickly to outbreaks.

Councils and sector regulator the Care Quality Commission may be asked to take “strong action” against care providers that are deemed not to be doing enough to prevent the spread of the virus, a government press release said.

This could include restricting a service’s operation, issuing warning notices or imposing conditions on a provider’s registration.


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A chief nurse for adult social care will also be appointed to lead the sector’s approach.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are entering a critical phase in our fight against coronavirus, with winter on the horizon.

“Our priority over the next six months is to make sure we protect those most vulnerable receiving care and our incredibly hard-working workforce by limiting the spread of the virus and preventing a second spike.

“This winter plan gives providers the certainty they need when it comes to PPE and provides additional support to help care homes to limit the movement of staff, stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

“We will be monitoring the implementation of this carefully and will be swift in our actions to protect residents and colleagues across the country.”

The Regulator of Social Housing reported this week that its monthly survey of how social landlords are responding to the pandemic found that those with care and support operations are worried that a second wave “could increase their usual winter challenges and put additional pressure on staffing and supplies”.

Nearly 30,000 more care home residents across England and Wales died during the coronavirus outbreak than during the same period last year, figures released this summer by the Office for National Statistics showed.

The Social Care Sector COVID-19 Support Taskforce is also set to publish its report on the effectiveness of government support for the social care sector so far in the pandemic.

It will recommend to ministers how to prepare care homes for winter, based on learning from the first wave of the virus.

David Pearson, the chair of the taskforce, said: “Close co-ordination between local and national bodies within the sector is critically important to the success of the sector and will play an important part in keeping people safe and healthy in the winter months ahead.”

Local government minister Luke Hall said the new measures “will make a huge difference in limiting the spread of the virus, supporting those on the frontline with this important work”.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of industry body Care England, said care homes will work with ministers to implement the winter plan “to ensure the best outcome for residents of care homes and their families”.

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