Bluebird Care Update - Vaccination and Self Isolation Guidance
Published: 30/12/2021
Here we would like to share the latest COVID-19 guidance - to help give clarity on all the guidance that is specific to the care industry.
1. COVID-19 Vaccinations Prioritised for all Care Workers
Yesterday the NHS announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be prioritised for all care workers. This includes booster jabs as well as first and second doses of the vaccine. We are therefore sharing with you the below information:
You can pre-book your appointment online via the National Booking Service or attend a walk-in appointment at a number of vaccination clinics across Essex. You can find a list of all the walk-in vaccination clinics online here.
Please note: You will only be able to book your booster dose if it’s been at least three months (90 days) since your second dose.
When you attend your appointment, you will be asked to prove your eligibility as a care worker – so please make sure you take along proof of your identity including your work ID and a recent payslip.
If you would like more information about the COVID-19 vaccine programme see the NHS Website.
2. Clarity on Self-isolation Rules
The announcement of changes to the rules on self-isolation has raised questions as to what this means for social care settings. The following is to give clarity on the key point:
Social Care Staff:
Now someone working in a care setting can return to work on the 8th day after the start if their isolation period if they have had a negative lateral flow device (LFD) tests on day 6 and day 7. There are eight conditions that have to be observed for this that can be found here.
3. Management of Staff and Exposed patients or Residents in Health and Social Care Settings
The Government guidance intended for staff and managers in health and social care settings can be found here. The infromation includes:
• Guidance relating to health and social care staff if they develop coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, receive a positive test result or are identified as a contact of a COVID-19 case.
• Guidance on isolation requirements for patients and residents in health and social care settings after contact with COVID-19 cases.
• Guidance on repeat testing for COVID-19 for staff, patients and residents in health and social care settings.
