The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has created a new care taskforce to oversee the government’s response to Covid-19.
The Social Care Sector Covid-19 Support Taskforce will lead the implementation of the government’s social care action plan and care home support package to help end transmission in the community and advise on a plan to support the sector through the next year.
The taskforce will oversee delivery of infection control measures backed by £600m from the government, delivery of testing programmes and effective deployment of the workforce.
The taskforce is made up of representatives from PHE, CQC, Care Providers Alliance LGA, ADASS, Healthwatch England, MHCLG, Cabinet Office and DHSC.
Former ADASS president and social care Covid-19 lead for the NHS David Pearson (pictured) has been appointed independent chairman.
“The social care sector is on the frontline of our coronavirus response. This taskforce will support the service by overseeing the delivery of the Social Care Action Plan and the Care Homes Intensive Support Package,” said Pearson.
“This will play an important part in ensuring we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in the sector, both for those who rely on care and support and the social care workforce,” he added.
The creation of the taskforce was backed by care sector representative bodies.
“I welcome the announcement of a social care taskforce that will bring together the multiple strands of work that have been developed to address the impact of Covid-19 on those receiving social care,” said National Care Forum executive director Vic Rayner.
“This taskforce will provide a real opportunity for all partners to work together to ensure a coordinated focus on the core essential of managing this virus, and bring energy and attention to the way in which Covid is impacting social care now – and critically in planning and preparation for the future,” she added.
DHSC meanwhile is extending whole care home testing to all adult care homes in England for under-65s, including those with learning disabilities or mental health problems.
Every care home in England will now be offered a coronavirus test for all residents and staff, even if they have no symptoms
