Loading images...

Coronavirus update from Somerset County Council – 05/11

Posted on 9th November, 2020 in News

All our help and information is now available in a single place on the SCC website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/

This page is refreshed through the day so please check in regularly to keep across developments and news.

Top stories today:

Health and care chiefs say thank you Somerset

Health and care services in Somerset are joining forces to thank the county’s residents for the support shown to NHS and social care throughout the pandemic.

In an open letter, health and care chiefs say: “You clapped for key workers through the spring and summer, fundraised for us and supported those in need. And thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to protect yourselves, your loved ones and our communities from Covid-19.”

They are urging people to keep health appointments where they can – and to seek help if needed.

The letter concludes: “We want to support everyone in Somerset to live healthy independent lives, supported by communities and timely and easy access to high quality and efficient public services when you need them. We are committed to providing you and your family with the highest quality health and care services and working together to support sensible Covid-19 precautions in our everyday lives.

Please help us keep Somerset safe and well this winter and thank you for everything that you have done to support us.”

Read more

New guidance on care home visits

All care home residents in England should be allowed to receive visits from their family and friends in a COVID-secure way – with social distancing and PPE – following new guidance to be used while national restrictions are in place from today (Thursday 5 November).

The guidance will enable care home providers, families and local professionals to work together to find the right balance between the benefits of visiting on wellbeing and quality of life, and the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to social care staff and vulnerable residents.

It will set out clear principles for how visits are conducted – with arrangements to be adapted from home to home, based on the needs of their residents and taking into consideration factors such as layout and facilities – and reiterates the importance of ensuring social distancing and proper PPE use is observed.

Read more

Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people

The Government has issued new guidance for people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this. You may have been advised to shield in the past. Advice on shielding has now changed and new guidance issued to provide extra information to help you protect yourself from the virus.

Read more

Furlough scheme extended

Employees in Somerset will be able to continue with the furlough scheme until the end of March 2021. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in Parliament today that the UK-wide Job Retention scheme will go beyond the one-month extension announced previously.

Employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours not worked, up to £2,500 a month.

Similarly, support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.

Read more

Are you Proud to Care?

If you, or someone you know someone is looking for work visit https://www.proudtocaresomerset.org.uk/ to find regularly updated jobs and opportunities in Somerset’s growing health and social care sector.

We’ve also got some great stories about people who are currently working in health and social care in Somerset – please do share these with anyone you know who is interested in learning more:
Caring in Somerset: https://bit.ly/3kVI5ZA
Harry’s story: https://bit.ly/3k0CNuC
Lauren’s story: https://bit.ly/3oZYChK
Katie’s story: https://bit.ly/2GtWtJx
Angela’s story: https://bit.ly/2I7t9Jc
For those who may have just left college, recently been made redundant, or are looking for a career change, working in Somerset’s amazing health and social care sector could be the next step in an exciting new career. There’s good job security as our care sector is growing – with more people needing care than ever before – and care is an interesting, rewarding, and meaningful career choice. Candidates will be working with creative, dedicated, supportive care professionals who have helped Somerset remain in the top 20% in relation to the proportion of good or outstanding care.

For more info, visit: https://bit.ly/p2csomerset or search #ProudToCareSomerset on facebook and twitter.