Templates added to Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund guidance
Guidance on the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund 2024 to 2025, which supports local authorities (LAs) in administering the Fund in 2024 to 2025, has been amended to include qualitative and quantitative capacity plan templates. LAs need to complete and return both to DHSC by 10 June 2024. This is after their local authority reporting template, which they need to send in by 22 May 2024.
Free digital switchover webinar
The upcoming digital switchover will see most telephone providers moving their customers from old analogue landlines over to new upgraded landline services using digital technology. There is a free webinar on the digital switchover for care providers on 24 May 2024, from 2 pm to 2.30 pm, by Orbitalnet: Registration. The Local Government Association also has a hub with information about the switchover.
NHS and care worker staff discounts and concessions
There is a page on the MoneySavingExpert website which lists products and services available at a concessionary rates to NHS, emergency and care workers. Some relate to schemes which require an annual subscription, for example, the Blue Light Card, or Ode pre-paid card. Each offer has its own terms on eligibility.
Whooping cough cases continue to rise
Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows cases have increased from 556 in January 2024 to 1319 in March 2024. With vaccination rates falling, the Agency encourages those who are pregnant and people responsible for young infants to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
NMCF Webinar Thursday 23 May 2024: Decision-making with 16-18 year olds
The National Mental Capacity Forum (NMCF) is holding a webinar on 23 May 2024, from 12pm to 1pm, on "Decision-making with 16-18 year-olds." Produced in collaboration with the Autonomy Project at the University of Essex, the webinar will cover applying the Mental Capacity Act in practice. Book here. Recordings of previous webinars are here.
CQC staff survey results
The Care Quality Commission described the results of its biennial People Survey 2024, which took place in January/February 2024, as ‘disappointing’, saying ‘The results are not where we want to be as an organisation’. The results and accompanying paper were tabled at a Board meeting on 27 March 2024. CQC is to take time to review the results and listen to and act on the feedback.
Pharmacists report worsening medicines supply issues
Community Pharmacy England has released a national report confirming a worsening medicines supply situation in pharmacies across England. The Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2024: Medicines Supply Report reports on survey findings which show that 99% of pharmacy team staff are experiencing supply issues at least weekly, and 72% are facing multiple issues a day.
