COVID-19

Policy Statement

This policy and procedure is to ensure that The Company remains up to date and is able to respond in the event of a member of staff, Service User or contact, contracting the virus (SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)) which results in the disease COVID-19.

 

The Company needs to meet the legal requirements of the regulated activities for which it is registered to provide under: -

  • The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020
  • Civil Contingencies Act 2004
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
  • Equality Act 2010
  • Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Registration and Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Policy

The Company recognise that the outbreak of a new strain of Coronavirus SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which results in the disease COVID-19 is a fast-moving situation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that it is now as a pandemic. As care providers, ensuring robust infection control and business continuity plans form part of preparing business for any events that can cause disruption to the normal business. 


The Company will ensure that staff are aware and understand the importance of pandemic preparedness and will carry out preparations by following the checklist in the Pandemic Policy and Procedure. 

 

We understand that business continuity planning involves all aspects of the business and to be effective we must work with our partners, suppliers and commissioners to ensure that a safe and effective service can be maintained.

 

The Company understands that we have a responsibility for ensuring that staff follow good infection control and prevention techniques and that we support our Service Users with this too. As a business we will ensure that staff have access to reliable information, to reduce anxiety and dispel any myths and inaccurate information, that may cause worry or distress to staff, Service Users or the wider public.

Procedure

Reducing the Risk of Contracting or Spreading the Virus The Company will ensure that
staff follow the World Health Organization (WHO) and NHS advice to reduce the risk

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild: -

  • Please follow Gov.uk guidelines in regards to self isolation..
  • This action will help protect others in your community while you are infectious
  • Ask your employer, friends and family to help you get the things you need to stay at home.
  • Stay at least 2 metres away from other people in your home if possible.
  • Sleep alone, if possible.
  • Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser.
  • Stay away from vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Confidentiality

 

Staff will follow confidentiality and GDPR policies and procedures to ensure that the details of staff involved in caring for Service Users with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is kept confidential. Staff must also respect each other’s confidentially and take care not to inadvertently share information when using social media. Where staff are suspected or confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, their personal details should be treated as confidential, as they would be for any other Service User.

Identifying Possible Cases of the Virus

· A temperature of 37.8 degrees or above

· A new continuous cough.

 

They must stay at home and follow latest government guidelines on Self-Isolation.

Actions if a Service User Meets the Criteria and Displays Symptoms

 

We will contact the Local Authority and the local health protection team for advice. Public Health England will provide advice to the person infected and will carry out all contact tracing 


Advice will be given to the member of staff if they need to self-isolate and what action will need to take place for any Service Users that they may have had contact with

If a member of staff reports that there are concerns about their children, close family, friends who they have had close contact with, the local health
protection team must be contacted for advice.

We will ensure that confidentiality is maintained and that records are held in line with Data Protection Act requirements

In the event of someone who is symptomatic, closure of the office or workplace is not recommended. We will contact Public Health England (PHE) local Health Protection Team to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and advise them on actions that should be taken.

Further Information on coronavirus covid-19:
Follow latest government guidelines on Self-isolation at COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further information on Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


World Health Oranisation Coronavirus (who.int)


National infection prevention and control manual for England NHS England »
National infection prevention and control / C1676-National-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Manual-for-England-version-2-2.pdf