Advice, guidance and resources for care providers

Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for adult social care:

All providers in Wandsworth are asked to familiarise themselves with this current guidance and check regularly for updates. We expect all providers to ensure they are compliant with the recommended infection control measures:

Guidance on infection control for NHS healthcare staff of all disciplines in all care settings including ASC:

If you are a member of the public please follow the advice on the NHS website and view our COVID-19 pages.

Staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19

See government guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19 in health and social care settings:

Further information can be found in COVID-19: information and advice for health and care professionals.

Vaccinating frontline social care workers

Information for employers about the COVID-19 vaccination programme:

This ‘Evergreen’ offer gives an open invitation to anyone who is eligible to receive their vaccination, first and second dose, if they have not had them. However revoked VCOD means vaccination is not a condition of deployment. The guidance on pages 5 to 18 sets out how eligible frontline social care workers can access COVID-19 vaccinations and how social care workers can access the ‘Evergreen’ offer.

All social care workers previously prioritised in cohorts 1 and 2 are covered by this supplementary Phase 3 guidance:

Please see government guidance for the spring booster 2023 and eligibility criteria for current vaccines if available.

Hospital discharge policy

The Hospital discharge policy (published on 21 March 2022) sets out how health and care systems can ensure that people are discharged safely from hospital to the most appropriate place, and continue to receive the care and support they need after they leave hospital.

For further information on discharging people who are likely to be infectious with COVID-19 from hospital to a care home read:

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA)

The principles of the MCA and the safeguards provided by DoLS apply as the care and treatment of people who may lack the relevant mental capacity must always be guided by important principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

Where decisions may need to be made in relation to COVID-19 care or treatment, for someone who may lack the relevant mental capacity, practitioners should follow their usual processes, including the best interest decision making process.

Guidance, and accredited training for care and health staff to support, protect and empower people who may lack capacity:

Dementia resources

Below is a list of other resources on how to support people living with dementia and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)

SCIE has published Beyond COVID advice for social care providers, with resources and best practice from across the social care sector. This report includes innovative recommendations and advice to help care providers think about the future of adult social care after COVID-19.

You can also download the PDF version of the Beyond COVID report (you will need a free MySCIE account to access this).

Registered Manager's Network

London Care and Support Forum is a network for all registered care managers working across all sectors of adult social care. There are many useful updates and events that you can attend virtually. More information can be found on the London Care and Support Forum.

You can also see more details about daily weather warnings on the Met Office website.

Summer readiness - heat wave planning

The heatwave and summer preparedness programme (Level Green) is in operation from 1 June until 15 September 2023. 

Heatwave and summer preparedness is so important because:

  • Research has identified associations between heatwaves, extreme weather, and health conditions and causes of death including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Effects have also been observed on, violent behaviour and suicide
  • The rise in mortality due to hot weather occurs sharply, usually within one or 2 days of temperatures rising. As a result, by the time heatwaves begin, the window of opportunity for effective action is very short, therefore advanced planning and preparedness is essential
  • Effective action, taken early, can reduce the health impacts of exposure to excessive heat
  • Most of these are simple preventive measures that need to be planned in advance of a heatwave in order to be effective

Preparedness is key - make sure you:

  1. Register for the heat-health alerts service – All partners and agencies should register directly for alerts. The alert system has recently been updated, so even if you have previously signed up for these, you will need to re-register using. Required action at different alert levels is set out in the Hot weather and health: action cards and the Hot weather and health: supporting vulnerable people
  2. Review and implement plans/action cards/guidance and distribute key messages – Identify vulnerable groups, communicate the risk and the key public health messages, ensure preparedness in accordance with guidance and act in the event of a heat-health alert (key links below)
  3. Are aware of, and signpost residents to Cool Spaces - These are places where residents can take respite on hot days (please note the GLA have not yet updated this page with additional spaces for 2023)
  4. Cascade information and resources and respond to alerts - This information is vital to those working in health and social care services

Circulate alertness levels as appropriate (please ensure you register directly with the alert service).

Key guidance and resources

Up to COVID-19 guidance for social, community and residential care providers

Updated: 24/07/2023