Getting a head start on flu and other infections
Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England, has published a blog highlighting the need for all social care and NHS staff to prepare for the winter flu season. Read more here.
RCN Foundation grants
The Royal College of Nursing Foundation has announced the opening of Autumn education and career development grants for nursing and midwifery professionals. The maximum amount for education grants available for continuous professional development is up to £1,600 and for student nurses it is £2,500. More information on application eligibility can be found here.
Carers UK publish new report on Carer’s leave
New research by Carers UK has found that introducing statutory paid Carer’s Leave would bring significant benefits for more than two million working carers and the UK economy. Read the press release here.
FOIA Transparency Campaign – Update
Access Social Care is a legal rights organisation fighting a landmark freedom of information case against three government departments to ensure there is transparent data available on social care funding decision making. They are fund raising from social care organisations for the next stage of litigation. For information about the legal case, email [email protected]. For donations information, email: [email protected].
Dementia resources
The University of Portsmouth’s SORTED Project (Improving Social Care practice in integrating mouth and teeth care in personal care for people living with dementia) has shared two free resources for homecare services supporting people living with dementia. Click here to access.
Woman with dementia died after eating washing pods
BBC News has reported on a warning issued by a coroner, following the death of a 93-year-old woman with dementia, who ate laundry capsules that "looked like sweets". The woman was found to have died from a combination of aspiration pneumonia, ingesting the toxic laundry tablets, and dementia.
New papers on ageing in the UK, and preparing the NHS for the AI era
There are some new papers of interest. One is on A better old age? Improving health and care outcomes for the over-65s in the UK | Harvard Kennedy School and the other on Preparing the NHS for the AI Era: A Digital Health Record for Every Citizen (institute.global).
Fake HMRC scam letters target small business owners
An accountancy firm has warned businesses about a scam letter which impersonates the HMRC tax office, and tells recipients: “We need you to verify your financial information.” (Report in The Independent, 18 August.) The scam was detected because its email address did not have a ‘gov.uk’ ending. HMRC has issued a list of circumstances in which HMRC contact uses more than one communication method, to help people check for scams.
HR advice
The HR Dept's latest newsletter looks at workplace bullying, jury duty, keeping in touch with sick employees and laughter at work.
Guidance on changes to the death certification process revised
Guidance on how the death certification process in England and Wales will change from 9 September 2024, including the introduction of medical examiners, has been revised. For the changes in detail, see: Changes to the death certification process - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID)
There is advice on the NHS website for those who have long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) and Department of Health and Social Care guidance on where to Find help and support if you have long COVID - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
