RECENT NEWS

Covid outbreaks in care homes have trebled in a month to levels not seen since the spring 2020 peak of the pandemic, according to Public Health England (PHE).

A virtual Covid ‘vaccine checkmark’ has been launched by tech company Florence for agency staff working in care homes.

All care home residents and staff in England are set to be given their first Covid jab by 24 January after the NHS ordered an acceleration of the vaccination programme.

Social care needs an immediate cash injection and new recruits to support its exhausted workforce, according to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

More than 80 per cent of care home residents in Scotland have been given their first dose of a Covid vaccination as of Tuesday 12 January.

Care home meals provider apetito has launched eight new plant-based dishes as part of its Culinary Inspirations range.

Yorkshire-based provider Exemplar Health Care is investing over £20m to open five new homes in England over the coming 12 months.

The Music for Dementia campaign and the Utley Foundation have launched of The Paul and Nick Harvey Fund to support musical activities for people living with dementia.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has extended the provision of free personal protective equipment (PPE) to care providers until the end of June.

Roar B2B, the organisers of Dementia, Care & Nursing Home Expo, has postponed the event for a third time due to the pandemic.

Care organisations have called on the government to step up Covid vaccinations in care homes after Public Health England data showed outbreaks have more than doubled in England since late December.

Dementia specialist provider Belong has appointed Sue Goldsmith to the newly created role of operations manager in a move designed to enhance the care operator’s provision as it prepares to open villages in Chester and Birkdale.

NHS Providers has called on the government to provide financial incentives and support for the care sector to enable patients to be discharged from hospitals into care settings.

More than half of Scottish care home residents have received their first dose of Covid vaccine, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Maria Mallaband Care Group has paid tribute to Teesside University for online support that enabled it to fulfil its commitment to professional development during the pandemic.

Care homes meals provider apetito has made donations of a total of £40,000 to charities who work with some of those most affected by the pandemic.

NHS Highland has boosted its digital technology provision with the help of Person Centred Software’s Mobile Care Monitoring system.

A project designed to reduce loneliness among care home residents by getting them involved in online activities with children has been launched in Nottinghamshire ahead of a nationwide launch next year.

Audley Group has appointed Graham to lead the construction of its £80m retirement village in Cobham in Surrey.

Close-contact indoor visits are barred across English care homes following the imposition of a new national lockdown effective from 5 January.