Support for local care providers of adult social care, including care homes. Find information, guidance and resources on Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Update 19July 2021

Following an extensive public consultation with thousands of care staff, residents and families, from October 2021 (subject to parliamentary approval and a 16 week grace period), people working in CQC-registered care homes must have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have a medical exemption.

It will apply to all workers employed directly by the care home or care home provider (on a full-time or part-time basis), those employed by an agency, and volunteers.

Those coming into care homes to do other work, for example healthcare workers, tradespeople, hairdressers and beauticians, and CQC inspectors, will also have to follow the new regulations, unless they are likewise medically exempt.

Get more information from GOV.UK. 

Update 20 May 2021

From 4 May 2021, residents may be able to leave their care home to spend time outdoors, without subsequent isolation for 14 days. This is subject to the provider's overall policy on outward visits and the individual resident's risk assessment. If there is an outbreak in a care home, the care home should immediately stop outward visiting.

Please see the Visits out of care homes: supplementary guidance.

Latest COVID-19 news

Find all updated COVID-19 news and information from GOV.UK.

How to Work Safely in care homes

Get how to work safely in care homes updated guidance.

Vaccinations

Find information on vaccinations.

Latest information for care providers

We'll update this page with our latest announcements. This is to keep everyone updated on what you need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can read previous announcements on our News and updates page.

Updated government guidance on care home visiting

This guidance was updated on 14 May 2021 and replaces previous guidance on care home visiting. It applies to care homes for working age and for older adults.

Care home visiting should be supported wherever it is possible to do so safely. Visiting should be supported by the guidance and within an environment set up to manage risks. If there's an outbreak in a care home, the care home should immediately stop visiting (except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life).

Read the latest summary guidance on the GOV.UK website.

For more information go to our Visiting care homes page.

Infection Control

Support for providers on infection control. Find the latest guidance and useful information.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Please see the PPE guidance with practical advice on how to source PPE and manage staff and residents safely when using PPE.

Visiting care homes

Find guidance on visiting arrangements in care homes.

COVID-19 testing

Find information and guidance on testing. This is for providers, staff and residents.

Working together to stay safe

If you have your first ever COVID-19 case or 2 or more cases of COVID-19 in your home / setting, please contact the Public Health England Health Protection Team

If you have one case, please send an email topublichealth@brighton-hove.gov.uk. We can provide support, follow up and ensure we are aware of what’s happening in the city.

If you have one case or more please also let your visiting GP or Practice nurse know. Please send an email to publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.ukto let us know who your visiting GP is.

Complete the NHS Capacity Tracker on a daily basis if possible.

Infection Control

For support with Infection, prevention and control, send an email to sxccg.infectionprevention@nhs.net.

Testing

If you have problems registering or the swabs haven't been delivered, please contact the DHSC helpline number on 0300 303 2713 or send an email to COVIDCareHomeTesting@dhsc.gov.uk.

For questions about registration or late results, send an email to PublicHealth.COVID19Testing@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

COVID-19 testing for frontline key workers

You can book a test using the government’s self-referral portal.

Access the government self-referral portal.

The government have also published a guide for using the self-referral portal.

This content is regularly updated with the latest information available.

The COVID-19 situation can rapidly change locally as well as nationally. We will revise information quickly and accurately.

To make sure you have the most up to date information, check dates before you print any information.  

For the latest overview of adult social care guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) see the Department of Health and Social Care portal.

More information on COVID-19 and our services

If you have a question about our services during COVID-19, please send an email to both the:

In particular, please let us know as soon as possible if you are:

  • experiencing any staffing issues
  • whether you are open or closed to new referrals

Find out how you can get help if you need extra support because of COVID-19.