Government to Invest £600 Million in Social Care Workforce
In December 2021, the UK government unveiled the “People at the Heart of Care” white paper. This promised significant funding for social care reform over three years. In April, they allocated £700 million, including £250 million for the social care workforce.
On 28th July, social care minister Helen Whatley announced plans to invest the remaining £600 million in social care over the next two years.
The Department of Health and Social Care will roll out £10 million for adult social care research. These initiatives will work alongside the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Care workers are at the forefront of providing crucial services. The funding aims to recognise and support their essential work.
The social care sector welcomes these announcements. Martin Tett, County Councils Network, praised the decision to provide funding to councils. Beverley Tarka, Association of Directors of Adults Social Services, expressed gratitude for the government’s responsiveness. This funding will help stabilise the situation and address the challenges faced during the winter months.
The Department for Health and Social Care is also planning a series of initiatives to enhance digital skills. Plans include new eLearning courses in digital leadership for level five qualifications. Collaboration with the Local Government Association will strengthen digital confidence in local authorities. Efforts with the NHS Leadership Academy will create new opportunities to develop digital skills.
The funding represents a significant step towards the future of care. It is a move that will enhance the quality of care provided to vulnerable individuals. By supporting care workers, investing in digital skills, and planning for the future, the government is taking crucial steps to ensure a sustainable and effective social care workforce.
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World Hepatitis Day: Taking Action for a Hepatitis-Free Future
Every year, millions of people lose their lives to hepatitis. World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes place on 28th July each year.
In 2023, WHD’s theme is “We’re not waiting” to end hepatitis. People living with viral hepatitis cannot afford to wait for testing and life-saving treatments. WHD aims to eradicate stigma and demand political and societal action.
What is viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by five different viruses. They have different ways of spreading, including contaminated food and water and body fluids. They can cause short-term and long-term disease.
What can you do to help?
Get involved with WHD. Pledge your support online today. Various campaign materials are available to adapt and download. Most importantly, you can find out your own hepatitis status. Schedule an appointment with your GP or a sexual health clinic. They will assess your situation and decide the next steps for you.
Prevention in Health and Social Care
Advantage Accreditation provides training materials in Infection Control and Prevention. Through high-quality, externally verified training, care staff can protect themselves against viral hepatitis.
If you would like to deliver this training, please contact Advantage Accreditation.
Talk to Us: Samaritans’ Annual Awareness Campaign
In today’s interconnected world, many individuals face personal crises and mental health struggles. During difficult times, having someone to listen and provide support can make all the difference. That’s where Samaritans, a renowned UK charity, comes in. Every year, Samaritans host an annual awareness campaign called “Talk to Us.”
On 24th July, Samaritans emphasise their commitment to being available 24/7. Throughout July, the Talk to Us campaign reminds people that Samaritans are there to listen at all times. Samaritans branches organise events to spread the message of available support.
Samaritans’ helpline offers a safe and confidential space for individuals to talk about their troubles. It is at the heart of their mission. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering a lifeline to those who feel isolated or overwhelmed. Whether it’s through a phone call, letter, email, or even a self-help app, Samaritans strive to ensure that no one faces their struggles alone.
Advantage Accreditation supports Talk to Us and Samaritans Awareness Day campaigns. We aim to share their message and reach more individuals in need of support. We encourage you to share this too.
Samaritans also advocate for policies to prevent suicide and support individuals in crisis. They go beyond raising awareness. Samaritans strive to create a world with fewer suicides and reduced stress through systemic change.
We provide training materials for the following courses:
- Managing Personal Stress
- Managing Stress in the Workplace
- Suicide Awareness
Here is some helpful information from our Suicide Awareness course, combatting myths with facts:
Myth: Once someone feels suicidal, they will always be suicidal.
Fact: High risk of suicide is often short-term and situation-specific.
Myth: Talking about suicide makes things worse.
Fact: Open conversation can give someone a chance to rethink their decision.
Myth: Most suicides happen without warning.
Fact: Most suicides have verbal or behavioural warning signs.
Myth: If someone talks about suicide, they’re not going to attempt it.
Fact: People may talk about suicide to reach out for support.
Samaritans’ Talk to Us campaign serves as a powerful reminder that support is a conversation away.
Call: 116 123
Email: [email protected]
Write: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
App: Samaritans Self-Help
If you would like to deliver our accredited training materials to train others, please get in touch.
How the NHS plans to use the AI Diagnostic Fund
The NHS is dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes through the introduction of innovative solutions in health and social care. These advancements encompass new technologies that enable illness prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatments, and accelerated recovery. The NHS is championing these breakthroughs.
To support the implementation of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, a £21 million AI Diagnostic fund has been established. This fund will ease the deployment of AI imaging and decision support tools, with the primary goal of expediting the diagnosis of conditions such as cancer, strokes, and heart disease, thereby reducing waiting lists.
Here are some examples of the new technologies:
- Analyses brain scans of stroke patients
- Assists doctors in making diagnosis and treatment decisions
- Minimises treatment delays by facilitating real-time data sharing between hospitals
- Interprets routine heart CT scans
- Provides personalised risk assessments for heart attacks
- Enables early intervention to prevent heart disease and mortality
OSAIRIS
- Prepares patient scans before radiotherapy
- Reduces the time between referrals and treatment initiation
- Safeguards healthy organs by marking them for protection against radiation
- Offer intermittent continuous glucose monitoring
- Reduce the need for finger prick testing
- Provide wearable arm monitors for real-time glucose monitoring
- Reduce hospitalisations
Single Health Resilience Early Warning Database (SHREWD)
- Tracks patient flow across hospitals
- Alleviates pressure points
- Ensures timely treatment
- Enhances patient access to health and care data
The NHS Long-Term Plan places significant emphasis on innovation. The NHS England Innovation Board promotes research participation, technological development, and economic growth.
At Advantage Accreditation, we are excited to witness the advancements in health and social care resulting from these new technologies.
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What are Delegated Healthcare Tasks?
Safety, consistency and a person-centred approach are vital elements in high-quality care.
Safety ensures the health and well-being of individuals receiving care. Consistency ensures care is reliable and predictable, without fluctuations in quality or availability. A person-centred approach recognizes the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of each individual.
Skills for Care recently published ‘Delegated healthcare activities: guiding principles for health and social care in England’.
These guidelines enhance the delivery of delegated healthcare activities. With this advice, care staff can deliver safer, more consistent and person-centred care.
What are ‘Delegated healthcare activities’?
Tasks carried out by professionals in health and social care. These activities provide an opportunity to integrate clinical and social care services.
Care support workers can become qualified to carry out more clinical tasks. Individuals can receive more consistent care and develop trusting relationships with caregivers. They can also receive the care they need with reduced delays and interruptions.
As the care worker can work with the individual more often, they will become more familiar with their preferences and choices. This enables high-quality, person-centred care. The aim is for individuals to feel heard, empowered and involved in their care journey.
Ongoing training is essential here.
Advantage Accreditation now offers training in Delegated Healthcare Tasks. We can provide learning materials for the following topics:
- Bowel Care and Suppository Administration
- Insulin Administration
- Stoma Care
- Tracheostomy
- PEG Feeding
- Catheter Care
Please contact Advantage Accreditation to enquire about delivering our Delegated Healthcare Tasks training.
How to Support Someone with Diabetes
Diabetes Week 2023 takes place 12th-18th June 2023. The annual event, organised by Diabetes UK, aims to raise awareness and support those living with diabetes.
Advantage Accreditation specialises in training for Health and Social Care staff. This article demonstrates how the public can support those with diabetes.
Support networks are vital for those living with diabetes. Diabetes comes with a range of physical and emotional challenges. People with diabetes are 20% more likely to experience anxiety compared to people without the condition (CDC). If you have a friend or family member with diabetes, consider how you can support them. This doesn’t need to be physical support, monitoring diets or administering medication. Rather, we recommend thinking of ways to ease the burden. On days when they feel unwell, you could take on the school run, help with housework, or simply be present and listen. In some locations, specific diabetic support groups may be available.
Those with diabetes will likely rely on care, medication and technologies for the rest of their lives. In the UK, those with lower incomes are more likely to experience long-term health conditions (Kingsfund). It is vital that care continues to be affordable for those with low incomes to treat diabetes. One way to support those with diabetes is to advocate and campaign for affordable healthcare. Those with diabetes often need breaks to self-administer medication and it is important this is not stigmatised. Employers should create an inclusive atmosphere that meets diabetic employees’ care needs.
If you know someone with diabetes, it may help to become familiar with their emergency procedures. If appropriate, talk to them about their needs and prepare to help if they experience low or high blood sugar.
Advantage Accreditation offers a Level 2 Award in Diabetes training course. If you would like to become an accredited training centre to deliver this course, please enquire online or call 020 7405 9999.
Diabetes UK will host several events and campaigns during Diabetes Week. Visit the Diabetes UK website to see what they have planned.
Challenges Faced By Unpaid Carers in the UK
Carers Week 2023 takes place from 5th to 11th June. Every year, this event aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by unpaid carers across the country. In 2023, the week will once again provide an opportunity to acknowledge and support those in unpaid caring roles.
This is a vital role in our country. Without the work of unpaid carers, there would be extreme strain on our NHS. The current annual NHS budget is £159 billion, while the estimated value of care is £162 billion per year (University of Sheffield). To meet care needs without unpaid carers, the NHS would need more than double their budget.
Here are only a few challenges facing unpaid carers in 2023:
Rising Cost of Living
With the present cost of living crisis, 14% of unpaid carers are unable to pay their utility bills. 5% of unpaid carers are relying on food banks. This data comes from Carers UK, which continues to campaign for better provision for unpaid carers.
Mental Health
Many unpaid carers have extra responsibilities beyond providing care. These often include work, education, childcare and housekeeping. The majority of carers struggle to manage their stress. 70% say caring has a negative impact on their mental and physical health (Care Quality Commission, 2022).
Lack of Support
Carers often go to their local authority for support. In 2021 only 27% of carers who requested support actually received any (The Health Foundation). Without respite care, counselling and other types of support, carers’ roles grow more and more challenging.
Organisations throughout the UK will host various events to raise awareness during Carers Week 2023. Find out what you can do in this online resource.
Do you know an outstanding unpaid carer?
We invite you to celebrate the carers in your life. Send them a token of your appreciation, offer some support, or post about them on social media using #CarersWeek.
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The New Care Workforce Pathway
The UK’s adult social care sector continues to face staff shortages. In 2020/21, over 100,000 social care roles across the country were vacant (UK Parliament). The government has proposed a new Care Workforce Pathway to encourage workers to join the sector. The pathway also provides a framework for career progression for existing care staff.
The Care Workforce Pathway is part of the government’s plans to put People at the Heart of Care. The pathway is one of the first initiatives to be introduced, with more to follow between April 2023 and April 2025.
Altogether, this new pathway aims to improve the quality of care by improving the skills of care workers. With opportunities for progression, the pathway will also increase motivation and job satisfaction, and encourage more workers to join the sector.
The roles outlined in the new pathway are:
Foundation Stage
Those in the Foundation Stage are not currently working within social care but may consider this a career option. They may be completing training or volunteering.
Care & Support Practitioner
Those in this stage are in their first 12 months of work within adult social care. This could include staff who have previous experience but have been out of practice for several years. Staff will complete the Care Certificate at this stage.
Advanced Care & Support Practitioner
After completing essential training, including the Care Certificate, staff move on to this stage. Advanced care and support practitioners are competent to provide person-centred care and support. They may choose to develop more specialist experience.
Senior Care & Support Practitioner
Those in this stage hold leadership roles within the adult social care sector.
The pathway then splits into two: Registered Workforce and Registered Manager.
Registered Workforce
Staff can develop into Practice Leaders or Specialist Practitioners if they have specialist skills and expertise in a specific area of care and support.
Registered Manager
Deputy Registered Managers and Registered Managers are skilled in business and people management.
Advantage Accreditation provides a broad range of Health and Social Care training courses that can help staff progress in their careers, including:
- Level 2 Award in Role of the Care Worker and Personal Development
- Level 2 Award in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults
- Level 2 Award in Handling and Administration of Medications
If you would like to become an accredited training centre and deliver these courses for your staff, please contact Advantage Accreditation.
