Here is a one-stop source of reliable information for our service providers, which we will update regularly. Please check it on a daily basis and circulate the link to this page widely within your organisations so that staff can use it too. The information provided here will be updated by 5.30pm Mon-Fri.
A reminder to managers and staff to be extra vigilant in terms of PPE and social distancing at all times within the workplace. If services have staff working who may be in a high risk category, for example students, please ensure extra vigilance.
I would also like to request that managers remind all staff of their professional responsibilities in adhering to current guidance measures when not in work.
Three Classic COVID-19 Symptoms
As a reminder, the three classic COVID-19 symptoms in line with NHS Inform advice are:
- Loss in sense of taste or smell
- A new, continuous, cough. This means coughing for longer than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.
- A high temperature/fever – that is, above 38C
Health & Social Care Staff (and their household members) experiencing any of the three classic symptoms, should seek a PCR test.
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2021 Winter Planning>
13/10/2021
Update to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual COVID-19 addenda on physical distancing in Health and Social Care
Letter to social care services re COVID-19 physical distancing measures 01-09-2021
COVID-19 Information - “A Toolbox of Resources"
Myth Busting - Covid-19 Vaccine
Covid-19 Vaccination - Staff Handbook
Health Protection Weekly Bulletins: Care Homes
The NHS Grampian Health Protection team, currently collate and issue a weekly bulletin for care homes.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections
(ARHAI) Scotland– monthly updates
ARHAI (Scotland) are providing monthly Rapid Reviews of the literature in relation to Covid -19.
TURAS Care Management (Daily Safety Huddle Template)
The TURAS Care Management (Daily Safety Huddle) is now in place for all of our registered care homes, and the old method of reporting has now stopped. You must report by 12pm every day, and additionally escalate any urgent requests by email to ProviderEscalations@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Providers Briefing - Safety Huddle Tool (9th October 2020)
For more support from the NES TURAS Care Management Team:
- User Guides, FAQ’s, Video walkthroughs can be found here: Turas Care Management User Guides and FAQs
Contact email nes.caremanagement.support@nes.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Grampian Covid-19 Information
Coronavirus (COVID-19): local advice and measures
Please visit the Scottish Government website for further advice re Care Home visiting
National Wellbeing Hub
The central theme of the National Wellbeing Hub is: You look after us so we’ll look after you
The wide-ranging content is aimed at encouraging everyone in health and social care services, wherever they work, and unpaid carers, to look after themselves and seek help seek when they need it.
It contains information on (evidence-based) resources to enable self-care and the most comprehensive information on services available (e.g. helplines, peer support) at national, regional and local levels.
A number of key resources (free for health and social care workers) are available on the National Wellbeing Hub, including apps and online programmes:
- Sleepio (click to access the evidence based sleep improvement programme)
- Daylight (click to access ways of improving general wellbeing)
- Silvercloud (click to access a structured programme based on CBT focusing on supporting your wellbeing, including managing your mental health, resilience, stress and sleep. Use code NHS2020)
For more info, follow @PRoMISScot @scotgovhealth on Twitter
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Information about the support provided by the Psychological Resilience Hub
Focus on Wellbeing - A Webinar Programme for Health and Social Care staff - June to August 2021
A Listening Ear and other Supports in Aberdeen and Beyond!
Psychological Resilience Hub flyer (Care Homes)
COVID-19 - Vaccination
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Care Home Comms Letter>
15/12/2020
Escalations for Non-Residential Providers
In December 2020, taking into consideration feedback received and in collaboration with sector representatives, the decision was taken to re-instate the online Microsoft Form daily reporting method.
We reviewed and amended the form to make it as easy as possible for completion, whilst ensuring it still captures all the required information to ensure appropriate supports were in place.
The link to the form is as follows:
Non-Residential Daily Huddle Form
The purpose of this form is for Non-Residential Providers to report the COVID - 19 status of clients and staff, and to also highlight any staffing levels of concern.
The details from the completed forms are then transferred into a daily report, which is shared with the multi-agency Non-Residential Assurance Group. This ensures we have an accurate and up-to-date picture across the city, whilst also alerting us to any trends or areas in which further support is required.
PPE
To highlight any urgent PPE requirements / issues, please email ProviderEscalations@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Urgent PPE requirements are categorised as follows:
PPE |
AMBER: 3 – 7 days supply of PPE available |
RED: less than 3 supply of PPE available |
When emailing, please state the RAG status and any relevant information, including name, email address and contact details. You will then be contacted by the most appropriate member of the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care team.
Weekends
Should urgent support be required over the weekend, the following Out of Hours Services should be contacted:
Weekends |
|
PPE |
Staffing |
Call: OOH Community Nursing 01224 655518 |
Call: OOH Social Work 0800 7315 520 |
Expanded Testing
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Non-Residential Staff COVID-19 LFD Testing Guidance>
Non-Residential Staff COVID-19 LFD Testing Guidance
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Care At Home Staff COVID-19 PCR Testing Guidance>
Care At Home Staff COVID-19 PCR Testing Guidance
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Covid 19 – Staff Self Testing Lateral Flow Device>
February 2021
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PCR Step by Step Staff Guidance>
January 2021
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PCR Testing Care at Home Staff Flowchart>
January 2021
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Communication: Expanded Testing>
January 2021
Testing
The method of reporting on staff testing has transferred over to the TURAS Care Management system. As of 9th October, this is now the only reporting method required to be completed.
The TURAS Care Management staff screening form should be updated on a daily basis, and saved as a draft. The form will only allow users to save as a draft until the Sunday of the week. This is to assist with accidental early form submissions.
Completed forms must be submitted before noon on the Monday.
The reporting week now runs from Monday to Sunday.
Staff who previously tested positive for Covid-19, are exempt from being re-tested during the weekly cycles, for a period of 90 days (from their initial illness onset).
You are also reminded to have clear social distancing practices in place for all staff, especially when they are not wearing PPE and on breaks. You should clearly indicate these requirements to staff on a regular basis, including the use of good hand hygiene.
Details on the process for staff testing can be found on the flowchart and national guidance documents below, which include weblinks for requesting and recording test kits.
How to perform Lateral Flow Testing - TURAS Learn website
Care home visitor Lateral Flow Device Testing 14th December 2020
Testing for Symptomatic Staff or their Household Contacts
- Staff DO NOT ATTEND WORK if have any of the three “classic” symptoms of fever (≥37.8°C), new continuous cough, or a loss of taste or smell.
- Symptomatic staff should book a test via NHS Grampian.
- If any of the household contacts of health and care staff have the three “classic” symptoms of fever (≥37.8°C), new continuous cough, or a loss of taste or smell COVID 19 symptoms they should be tested via this route as well.
- This link will take you to the Staff Covid-19 Testing Form
- Click here to visit Covid 19 webpage
- You can also send an email to the Covid-19 Testing Team to request a test at: staffcovid19testing@nhs.scot
Please provide relevant details on your email, including Name, Contact Number, Symptoms start date, and work area/job title.
Testing Update for Staff Who Cannot Drive
- Staff testing will include a community testing facility.
- A team member can visit people at home for those who cannot drive.
- NHS, HSCP, Social Care Providers, Care Home, Care at Home - children and adults - send forms as usual to the NHS email address.
Additional Information
National hub staff surveillance PCR testing –
- If a result comes back inconclusivestaff should simply re-join the following week’s surveillance testing. Please advise staff of this.
- If the staff member remains asymptomatic – there is NO requirement for the staff member to be re-tested by another route, other than their LFD tests, in the interim.
Testing for clients
Testing information for Grampian Care Home Residents - 14.07.2021
Care Home COVID-19 Testing Flowchart - 14th July 2021
HPT Care Home Outbreak COVID-19 Testing Flowchart - 6th May 2020
Care home Tester Info - 15th April 2020
Equipment required for care home sampling - 15th April 2020
Areas to be swabbed - 4th March 2020
Biohazard bag image - 5th March 2020
Droplet Isolation Precautions Personal Protective Equipment - March 2020
COVID-19 Testing for Care Homes Video
Please click here to watch the video
Repurposing of Prescription-Only Medicines (PoMs)
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Guidance for repurposing Prescription Only Medicines>
September 2020
Care Home Visiting
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Open with Care: Supporting Meaningful Contact in Care Homes>
Supplementary information: Answers to practical questions and concerns
PPE
National PPE / Clinical Guidance Updates
- NHSG recommendations on eye protection - Feb 2021
- Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP): FFP3 Mask Face-Fit Testing
- National Infection Prevention and Control Manual - Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Addendum
- Health Protection Scotland - COVID-19 - Information and guidance for care home settings
- Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): clinical guidance for managing patients
- Scottish Government - Interim guidance on the wider use of face masks and face coverings in Health and Social Care FAQs (updated 21st September 2020)
- Health Protection, NHS Grampian - Alcohol Based Hand Rubs (ABHR) guidance (3rd October 2020)
Local PPE Distribution Centre
Local PPE distribution hub contact details
Information for Learning Disability Teams
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Covid -19 Vaccine>
February 2021
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Going to TECA for your COVID 19 Vaccination>
February 2021
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Coronavirus - Phase 2>
22 June 2020
National/Regulator Updates
Updates from Regulator
Scottish Social Services Council - 18th March 2020
New resource to support social service workers to have conversations about death and dying
Click here to access the Scottish Social Services Council website
Support with death, dying and bereavement during COVID-19 website