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

The visiting framework for care homes is now AMBER in the current alert level. You need to follow the guidance for visiting care homes. This may change if Public Health England advise on any further restrictions for visitors as part of outbreak management.

News and updates

Find all updated news and information from GOV.UK.

Tuesday 13 October

See the government’s Winter Plan 2020-2021.

This sets out the key elements of national support available for the social care sector for winter 2020 to 2021.

It also sets out the main actions to take for local authorities, NHS organisations, and social care providers, including in the voluntary and community sector.

Working together to stay safe

As we enter a new phase in the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to maintain our excellent communication links. We have listed these key email addresses:

Covid-19 outbreak 

You should contact public health:

  • if you have your first ever covid-19 case or 2 or more cases of covid-19 in your home or setting, contact the Public Health England Health Protection Team
  • if you have 1 case let publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.uk know so that we can provide support and follow up and to ensure we are aware of what’s happening in the city
  • if you have 1 case or more let your visiting GP or Practice nurse know and inform publichealth@brighton-hove.gov.uk who your visiting GP is

You should complete the NHS Capacity Tracker on a daily basis if possible.

Infection Control

For support with Infection, prevention and control:

Testing   

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

For enquiries regarding registration or late results:

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.

 

 

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.

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 DHSC portal.

More information on Covid-19 and our services

If you have a question about our services during Covid-19, please email both the relevant commissioner and the Contracts Unit Team.  ContractsUnit.AdminTeam@brighton-hove.gov.uk

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.