NHS orders rapid acceleration of care home Covid vaccinations

GPs in England told to complete care home jabs by 24 January at latest

Gordon Brooks, pictured with granddaughter Millie, was diagnosed with Covid two days before the vaccine arrived. Photograph: Emma Gilmartin

NHS England has ordered a rapid acceleration of care home vaccinations in response to rising Covid outbreaks in which deaths of residents have risen to levels not seen since May.

GPs have been instructed to complete all care home vaccinations by the end of this week “wherever possible” or by 24 January at the latest. The government’s original target was the end of the month.

thegaurdian.com

GPs told to use army if needed to vaccinate everyone in England's care homes by end of the week

GPs have been told by NHS England to give the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to all residents and in England’s care homes by the end of the week and use the military if needed to get the job done.

A letter sent to GPs highlighted that a rising rate of infections and the arrival of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine had prompted NHS England to bring forward the vaccination deadline for care homes to Sunday 17 January - and at the very latest 24 January.

carehome.co.uk

Exemplar Health Care invests over £20m in five new homes

Exemplar Health Care, a leading provider of specialist nursing care for adults living with complex needs, is investing £20m in opening five new homes over the next year.

The specialist care home provider, with a head office in Rotherham, already has 32 homes across Yorkshire, the Midlands, North East and North West. The additional five homes will be based in Hull, Bradford, Birmingham, South Elmsall and Ellesmere Port.

They will support adults who need specialist nursing care and are living with a complex neuro disability, physical disability or mental health conditions. In addition to providing a supportive community-based service for all residents, up to 150 jobs are expected to be created within every new home.

carehomeprofessional.com

Covid: Couple fined for seven-mile trip to care home

A couple have been fined £60 for driving 20 minutes to see a relative in a care home.

Carol and David Richards from Bridgend travelled seven miles to Porthcawl to visit her mother Decima Minhinnick, 94.

Mrs Richards said she was "mortified" they were stopped by police while returning on Sunday from what she said was a compassionate visit.

South Wales Police defended the fine, citing Covid rules which say people should stay at home.

The couple said they did not believe they breached lockdown rules and have made a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

bbc.co.uk

Covid: Gwynedd care home 'frightened' over vaccine delay

A care home manager is "frightened" for the residents after its delivery of Covid vaccinations failed to arrive.

Lorna Jones said Meddyg Care Dementia Home in Criccieth, Gwynedd, was due to have a delivery of the new Oxford-AstraZeneca jab a week ago.

However the vaccine has not arrived amid claims other people in the area have already had the jab.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board admitted there had been "logistical problems" in north west Wales.

The health board insisted it is "committed" to vaccinating those most vulnerable.

BBC.CO.UK

Fleet of ambulances respond to Covid outbreak at Cornwall care home

Onlookers said it was 'like something out of a movie' with paramedics wearing hazmat suits, which the ambulance service has clarified as personal protection equipment (PPE)

Paramedics wearing hazmat suits responding to an outbreak of Covid-19 at a care home in Helston

Residents have told of their shock after ten ambulance crews and paramedics wearing what looked like hazmat suits responded to an outbreak of Covid-19 at a nearby care home.

The incident happened on Saturday night (January 9) at Trengrouse care home in Helston.

cornwalllive.com