Coronavirus: information for staff and moving to a ‘delay phase’
After reviewing our options in light of the continually changing direction of the coronavirus, we have decided to move to a ‘delay phase contingency plan’. This means that we will all work together to make appropriate changes and take precautionary measures to keep ourselves and our clients safe. We may be those who will face some of the most difficult situations because we are caring for the most vulnerable people in our city.
As of today, these new measures will include:
- Cancellation of all non-essential manager meetings
- Remote instruction for all refresher training (materials will be provided)
- Staff supervisions, probationary meetings and yearly meetings to be conducted via Skype or phone
- Interviews to be conducted via Skype
- All (non-urgent) client assessments and reviews to be conducted remotely using phone, online care planning information and support from visiting carers
- Only members of the care team will be authorised to visit the office with booked appointments via a manager. No other visits are authorised
- Glove delivery may now be left outside the client’s property (where appropriate) and will need to be brought in by the visiting carer.
Further information regarding Coronavirus
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature
For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild infection.
Key message
If any of our staff have symptoms of a coronavirus infection (COVID-19), they will be asked to stay at home and not leave their house for seven days from when the symptoms started. They will be obliged to agree to this during a phone call with a manager and this will be registered. This action will help protect others in the community. They must also stay at least two metres away from other people in their home and to sleep alone, if possible. They should wash their hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water and staying away from vulnerable individuals.
Government advice is that people do not need to call NHS 111 but go into self-isolation.
If symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, NHS 111 should be contacted. For a medical emergency, 999 should be dialled.
The government is advising that they will not be testing those self-isolating with mild symptoms. The following advice is designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
It is very important that everyone stay at home whilst they have COVID-19.
Infection control and personal safety
- Please continue to ensure extremely high levels of infection control, wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds on arrival to a client property. Ensure that you put gloves on and change gloves regularly during the call. Wash your hands before you leave and repeat this at every call
- Avoid going to crowded places
- Avoid contact with anyone with symptoms.
Live-in carers
- We are unable travel to accept anyone back to work who has travelled abroad to a high risk area. We would encourage any staff to reconsider any travel plans. We would be happy to facilitate extra working weeks for carers as well as to cancel any booked holidays. Please consider either taking a break in the UK or changing travel plans as we would not be able to guarantee work upon return otherwise. Please email us if you are planning to go abroad soon or if you already are and planning to return to the UK. We will assess each case individually.
The future
We are unable to say exactly what measures we will need to implement in the future and what difficulties we will face. We will continue to review our policies and keep everyone updated with any further advice. We already provide an excellent, well-structured service and we are confident that we will be able to continue to support our clients and keep them safe. We are currently well-staffed across the city with a highly professional and reliable workforce.
Stay safe and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
