Today (7th September) marks Youth Mental Health Day 2021, with the theme for this year focussing on how young people can #StrideForward with their mental health and wellbeing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Established by leading youth mental health charity Stem4, the awareness day aims to encourage understanding and discussion of mental...
Social care reforms to be announced
The Prime Minister is set to announce long-awaited reforms to the social care system in England today (Tuesday 7th September 2021). Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to present his plans to reform social care in England to MPs and will also announce extra funds to help the NHS deal with the Covid-19 pandemic....
Construction firm fined after worker suffers life changing injuries
A construction company has been fined £34,000 after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in an avoidable incident that “could have easily resulted in a fatality.” Hovington Limited, based in Rochdale, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to the incident, which occurred on 4th...
What we need to know about Covid-19 transmission as the UK unlocks
Now that the majority of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have been removed in England, and with other UK nations also easing controls, the PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study offers some key points to keep in mind. The PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study on transmission and environment is a UK-wide research programme designed to improve our...
IOSH urges caution as people return to workplaces
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has urged caution over the gradual return of staff to workplaces. Speaking after the government confirmed that England would move to the final stage of its gradual easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures, IOSH’s Head of Advice and Practice, Duncan Spencer, warned: “Covid-19 still poses a significant...
Self-isolation exemption for care staff poses ‘significant risks’
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has warned that a new exemption from self-isolation rules for double-jabbed care staff poses “very significant risks.” In a press release, the directors’ body said the policy shift, which means that frontline adult social care staff who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine...
Workers feel under pressure to hide mental health struggles
A survey has found that many UK workers feel under pressure to hide their mental health struggles and “put on a brave face” at work as the government encourages them to head back to the office. The survey of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by online healthcare provider Lime Insurance, found that just over...
Skills for Care launch new strategy for ‘widescale change’
Skills for Care have launched their new three-year strategy today (Wednesday 4th August 2021), which sets out their future direction as they support the social care sector to “drive forward widescale change,” and establish a national career pathway. The independent workforce development charity has developed the new strategy to help it work towards its...
CQC publishes data showing Covid-19 death notifications
The Care Quality Commission has praised the efforts of care staff during the pandemic as it published data showing death notifications involving Covid-19 received from individual care homes over the past 12 months. The CQC’s latest Insight Report has also drawn on this data to establish key points and provides crucial context to help...
CQC focuses on learning disability care during the pandemic
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has released its latest insight report, which focuses on care provided for people with a learning disability during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ahead of the publication of their provider collaboration review (PCR) on people with a learning disability living in the community this month (July 2021), England’s care watchdog has...
Adult social care sector receives last minute funding boost
The government have announced an extra £250 million worth of Covid funding for adult social care, just three days before existing funds were due to run out. The funds will be used to help care providers to maintain sufficient staffing levels while controlling Covid-19 infections, and to fund testing, in line with the latest...
Skills for Care offers guidance on vaccination for care workers
Skills for Care is providing resources to help employers in the care sector to engage with their workers and provide guidance about wellbeing and Covid-19 vaccinations. It comes as the government announced that they are planning to bring forward regulations that will make Covid-19 vaccination a condition of employment for those working in CQC-regulated...
Autumn Covid-19 booster jabs for over 50s
Vaccine experts have advised that more than 30 million people, including all adults aged 50 and over, should receive a third dose of a coronavirus vaccine ahead of winter. It is understood that the NHS has started planning a Covid vaccine booster jab programme for the UK in anticipation of a bigger than normal...
Charity calls for greater awareness of ‘awful toll’ of asbestos exposure
Charities, campaign groups and other organisations are calling for greater awareness of the dangers of exposure to deadly asbestos fibres. Tomorrow (Friday 2nd July) is Action Mesothelioma Day, with the annual event being held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. Ahead of the awareness day, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has joined...
Fully inclusive workplaces ‘crucial’ to business success, says IOSH
As Pride Month comes to an end, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has spoken about how fully inclusive workplaces are “crucial to the success of organisations.” The world’s largest occupational health and safety body have said they believe that making sure that all employees feel safe at work is key to...