Coventry & Warwickshire COVID-19 Portal

A weekly update for providers and professionals working in primary medical and dental services, sharing the latest guidance on COVID-19 and CQC's approach during this period.

 

Stay up to date with the latest CQC COVID-19 information

We're making changes to the way we work during the COVID-19 outbreak. We've developed a dedicated area on our website so that you can stay up to date with the latest information. Find out more.

Joint statement on advance care planning

Having a personalised care plan in place, especially for older people, people who are frail or have other serious conditions, has never been more important than it is now during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have set out considerations for providers when undertaking advance care planning, in a joint statement with the BMA, the Care Provider Alliance and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Read the statement in full.

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DHSC update on plans to support access to PPE

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has written to health and care sector providers to update on plans to support access to personal protective equipment (PPE) during the current response to COVID-19.

This includes the development of a Parallel Supply Chain to support the normal supply chain with a focus on delivering core PPE products for COVID-19. DHSC has also mobilised the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR), which can be contacted in the event that providers have an urgent requirement for PPE which they are unable to secure through their business as usual channels.

Visit our website to read the letter in full.

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Fast-track process for granting practising privileges in independent sector

We have written to independent health providers and NHS trusts about the interim process for granting practising privileges to consultants in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Following NHS England's recent agreement with the independent sector - which makes independent hospitals and staff available to treat NHS patients - there is an interim process for providers to grant practising privileges to consultants. 

Our recent update sets out:

• the interim, fast-track process for providers in granting practising privileges so consultants can start work immediately in hospitals where the do not have practising privileges already

• guidance on the process, which only applies to providers that are included in the NHS COVID-19 collaboration contract.

The interim process requires consultants to give the registered manager of the independent sector hospital a declaration that gives assurance on key points. Read the letter on our website. 

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Guidance for primary care and dental services professionals

• NEW: Latest updates and guidance for dental practice 

• NEW: Webinars for community pharmacy, dental, digital primary care and general practice staff, including links to recordings of past webinars 

• NEW: The Department of Health and Social Care has issued guidance setting out how local authorities can use the new Care Act easements 

• UPDATED: Investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases 

• Guidance for primary care

• Guidance on the supply and use of personal protective equipment

• Letters for providers and professionals from NHS England/Improvement

• Guidance for health professionals

• Guidance from NHS England and Improvement

• Guidance for health professionals who have diagnosed a case within their facility 

• Infection prevention and control 

• Rapid tests for use in community pharmacies or at home

• Guidance for sampling and for diagnostic laboratories 

• Department of Health and Social Care's coronavirus action plan 

• NHS England has published measures for people who might be at greatest risk from coronavirus. Guidance (including an easy read version) is available on its website. People who are classed as extremely vulnerable are being asked to register for support.

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Accessibility resources to help you communicate about COVID-19

• NEW: Signhealth is providing a videos of summaries of key coronavirus guidance in BSL 

• NEW: The handwashing rap, produced to help people who have a learning disability

• Public Health England stay at home guidance, translated and in easy read

• Public Health England guidance on social distancing, translated.

• NHS guidelines translated into 32 languages by Doctors of the World

• Easy read information on COVID-19 from Mencap

• Public Health England resources in accessible formats

• COVID-19 guidance for providers of services for people experiencing rough sleeping

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Further information

• Public Health Matters blog from Public Health England

• Number of COVID-19 cases in the UK

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Follow us on Twitter!

Follow @CQCProf on Twitter to get regular updates about the work we are doing with professionals and provider organisations in England.

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