Introduction

At Sparkles Healthcare we are up to date with all the developments relating to the continued spread of Coronavirus (COVID – 19) across the UK.

We understand that staff, Service Users and their families will understandably feel concerned about the risks posed by accepting Service Users from hospital or from within the community who either have symptoms, have no symptoms and have not been tested or who have had COVID-19 and are no longer symptomatic.

Sparkles Healthcare recognises, however, that there is an obligation to protect the NHS for the most critically ill and will ensure that robust risk assessments with stringent infection control and personal protective equipment procedures are in place to ensure that we can support the national effort to manage the COVID-19 pandemic

What is Sparkles Healthcare doing?

Sparkles Healthcare will communicate clearly with staff, have procedures in place to protect staff who themselves are vulnerable to COVID-19 or who are shielding family members.
Furthermore, We will ensure that, through careful planning and robust precautions, the wellbeing and safety of our service users at are protected and maintained.

Our Management team will closely follow updated guidance directly from GOV.UK , NHS and local Commissioning/NHS policy and adapt practices to align with their requirements and recommendations

Staff will be updated through regular briefings from management in changes to practice as provided by GOV.UK or the NHS

Training will emphasise that staff will only work within the realm of their competence at all times, in accordance with their codes of conduct. Where upskilling of staff is necessary due to the impact of COVID-19 on staff supply, this will be provided using a Training Needs Analysis approach

We will ensure that staff regularly log into the Quality Compliance System to make sure they are reading the most up-to-date advice

Where Service Users require additional support due to the long-term effects of COVID-19, this will be documented in the Service User's Care Plan and staff will be supported and trained to carry this out

Advice during coronavirus

The important thing is to follow the Government’s instructions around social distancing as this will provide a safer environment for our Care worker to travel to and from our Service users' homes.

As with any virus, the most effective way to prevent infection and spread is to avoid being exposed to it.
You can do your bit to prevent the spread of COVID -19 outbreak by doing the following:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin straight away, or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, then wash your hands
• Avoid close contact with persons who have respiratory illness symptoms
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Cover your face by wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces
• Make space by staying at least 2 metres apart – or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions
• If you have coronavirus symptoms, stay at home (unless you are attending a test site) and book a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus.
  In the Republic of Ireland you should phone your GP or GP out-of-hours straightaway to discuss your symptoms and whether you need a test for COVID-19.
• If you are asked to self-isolate please follow the advice from the test and trace service in your area / nation.
  In some nations it is an offence not to self-isolate if told to do so
• If a member of staff has a positive confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus Sparkles Healthcare will prepare a list of all customers and staff the affected person has been in contact with for at least the previous 48 hours.
  We will fully co-operate with local test and trace services and contact customers or their representatives where this is appropriate

Sparkles Healthcare support during coronavirus

At Sparkles Healthcare we are dedicated to providing continuous high quality care and support to all our service users during the coronavirus pandemic.
We strictly adhere to the government guidance to ensure that we protect our service users and staff

The following are some of the measures we have put in place to make sure that we protect our service users, staff and members of the public.

• Sparkles Healthcare staff wear Personal Protective Equipment in accordance with government guidance.
  In England the guidance followed is Personal protective equipment (PPE) – resource for care workers delivering homecare (domiciliary care) during sustained COVID-19 transmission in the UK
• Sparkles Healthcare have a COVID-19 risk assessment in place in accordance with government and HSE guidance.
• Sparkles Healthcare have a Business Continuity Plan in place which includes COVID-19 specific measures where disruption could occur
• Sparkles Healthcare comply with five steps to safer working together to evidence they are staying COVID-19 secure in 2020.
• Sparkles Healthcare head office have access to a central COVID-19 toolkit. This is a hub of resources that ensures our offices remain up to date with and follow current guidance
• Sparkles Healthcare will continue to work closely with Health Authorities, UKHCA and Care Quality Commission, in order to protect our staff and service users and maintain service delivery.
  We are keeping our business continuity plans under review in preparation for a possible escalation of the outbreak.

For more information on how we are supporting our Service users during this challenging time or if you would like to discuss how we can support you or a family member, please call us on 01372-365793.

Travel

For those who need to travel, please ensure you are up to date with current COVID-19 guidance for your area.