Care England's view on:- 'Integrating Health with Social Care'

CARE England, the largest representative body of independent Adult Social Care providers, have submitted its response to the NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) consultation on integrated care systems.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "Adult Social Care is essential to the fabric of society, this has been seen in technicolour over the incredibly difficult past months so it is disappointing that NHSEI has failed to recognise the strategic relationship between health and social Care providers in its future planning for integrated care. On 26 November 2020, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) published Integrating care: Next steps to building strong and effective integrated care systems which sets out the policy proposals for the future of integrated care systems (ICSs) in England, as well as outlining two proposals for how ICSs are to become legislation by April 2022, subject to Governmental approval. NHSEI were consulting on two possible options for enshrining ICSs in legislation. Whilst Care England supports the direction of the policy as it emphasises the need for a greater degree of collaboration and integration across the health and Social Care system, this integration must include a place for independent Adult Social Care sector providers. These providers form the foundations of good community care services and care for some of society's most vulnerable."

Martin Green continues:- "As such an important part of the jigsaw, Adult Social Care should not be fighting its case, rather NHS England should be focusing on a vision for the future incorporating a workforce plan and fairer funding to providers including Continuing Healthcare."

MERSEYRAIL have issued the following statement further background information on actions taken overnight and this morning which led to the reintroduction of services:- "Throughout yesterday, the forecasted weather overnight and into this morning showed a combination of snow, sleet and rain which together causes problems for our electrified rail, which powers our trains. Rain and sleet can wash anti-ice away, while snow and sleet can create a new layer of ice on top of the rail, which electricity cannot pass through and therefore trains are unable to run. As a result of this, we believed it was very unlikely that trains would be able to operate this morning and therefore made the difficult decision not to run our timetabled service. We had hoped that this advance notice would give passengers enough time to make alternative travel arrangements. This morning, specialised trains were deployed on to the network to assess lines and lay anti-ice. If successful, our own trains would run along the lines, without passengers, to determine if it was safe to begin a passenger service. It would not have been possible to complete this prior to the first timetabled train, at approximately 5:30am, due to forecasted weather continuing into the morning.  During the test runs this morning, the test trains did become stuck, meaning if we had committed to running a timetabled passenger service, there would have been an extremely high number of cancellations on the network throughout the morning. The primary cause of disruption to services is a build-up of ice on the third rail, which is often worsened by the rail temperature being much lower than the air temperature. This ice can damage trains as electricity tries and fails to pass through it. Nearly one third of our fleet of trains were damaged during the freezing New Year conditions due to a build-up of ice. Lines are currently being assessed and if successful a passenger service where re-introduced throughout the morning and we returned to our timetable from approximately midday. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Please continue to check our Twitter account and the Merseyrail website for the latest updates before travelling throughout the lockdown."
 

THE current testing arrangements for hauliers crossing the Channel; where they must have had a negative Coronavirus test within 72 hours of crossing; are set to continue following a decision by the French Government, on Thursday, 7 January 2020.

The continuation means that hauliers; including:- drivers and crew of HGVs, drivers of LGVs and van drivers; planning to cross the Channel should get a negative test before travelling to Kent or other Channel Crossing points. Following the French Government's original decision to close the border to the UK, and the subsequent reopening of the border to hauliers on the condition of a negative Covid test on the 23 December 2020, it was agreed the arrangements would be reviewed regularly.

Having met to discuss the situation, the French Government has made the decision to keep current measures in place until further notice. While the Government acted swiftly during December to help hauliers move across the border steadily, drafting in the military to deliver tests in Kent, hauliers are now being urged to get a negative Covid19 test before travelling to the border, to help further with avoiding backlog or traffic management issues.

The UK's Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:- "After the decision by the French Government, back in December 2020, we acted swiftly to find a solution to the border closures, so hauliers could continue to travel and people continued to get their deliveries. Following the French Government's decision today to extend the current arrangements, I continue to urge all hauliers to get tested before getting to the border, and only travel if they test negative. To help make this possible we are offering support to businesses to set up testing facilities at their own premises, assisting the smooth passage of trucks and good across the border, as well as setting up testing at information and advice sites around the country."

To help hauliers get tested before travelling to Kent, 34 information and advice sites have been set up across the country, linked to key haulier stopping spots on their journeys, so they can get their negative test before heading to the border. Further sites are in the process of being set up.

In addition, the Government is offering to help any business to set up a testing centre at its own premises to ensure trucks heading for France depart 'COVID ready.' This includes the provision of testing kits entirely free of charge.

As with the previous arrangements agreed on the 23 December 2020, hauliers must continue to have proof of an authorised negative test, conducted within 72 hours of travelling to the border to cross over.

If they do not meet these requirements, they will be stopped from travelling.

Key information:-

►  Testing requirement for hauliers crossing the Channel to continue.

►  Hauliers must continue to have proof of an authorised negative test, conducted within 72 hours of travelling to the border to cross over.

►  Government urges all hauliers to seek tests at 1 of 34 information and advice sites before travelling to Kent to help smooth traffic management.

THIS means Regular notice that consumers could be in line for compensation... People who have dealt with any of the 13 firms listed below, and believe they are owed money as a result, can now make a claim to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This vital service, which is free to consumers, protects money held in Bank, Building Society and Credit Union accounts. It also protects insurance, investments, mortgage advice and arranging, and debt management.

Caroline Rainbird, FSCS's Chief Executive, said:- "Because these firms are unable to pay back the money they owe their customers, FSCS can step in and pay them compensation. As Chief Executive, I see 1st hand the important role FSCS plays to help people who have lost money through their dealings with financial services firms that have failed or are no longer trading. The impact of their financial loss should not be underestimated. People who claim through FSCS are often vulnerable. We treat each person with empathy and understanding as their claim is progressed."

Since it began in 2001, FSCS has helped more than 4.5m people.

Visit our claims site at:- FSCS.Org.UK, if you wish to make a claim with FSCS against any of these firms. You can also contact our Customer Services Team on:- 08006781100 or 02077414100, or by email at:- Enquiries@FSCS.Org.UK.

Declarations by FSCS from 1 November to 31 December 2020:-

November 2020:-

►  Barnbeck Limited t/a Brecks Saab, FRN:- 312552, Great North Way, Nether Poppleton, York, North Yorkshire YO26 6RB.

►  Dexia PAM Limited formerly Pembroke Asset Management Ltd t/a Day Hartley & Pembroke Limited, FRN:- 116383, Shackleton House, 4 Battle Bridge Lane, London SE1 2GZ.

►  Direct Market Touch Limited, FRN:- 490521, c/o 9 New Street, London EC2M 4TP.

►  Drew (UK) Financial Services, FRN:- 180995, 28 Middleton Avenue, Sidcup, Kent DA14 4JW.

►  Fiducia Wealth Solutions Limited formerly Regen Investments Limited, FRN:- 646975, 45 Hornbeam Avenue, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 5JQ.

►  J L Fisher Financial Services Limited, FRN:- 116035, 60 King's Walk, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 1LA.

►  Mentor Financial Limited, FRN:- 179105, 6 High Street, Datchet, Slough, Berkshire SL3 9EA.

►  Stephen Davies (Haverfordwest) Limited t/a Imperial Garages, Imperial Leisure, Imperial Marine, FRN:- 313079, Imperial Garages, Portfield, Haverfordwest SA61 1DY.

►  Wingray Autos Limited, FRN:- 312447, Woolton Garage, Menlove Avenue, Liverpool, Merseyside L25 7SB.

December 2020:-

►  Horbury Bridge Garages Limited, FRN:- 315045, 223 Bridge Road, Horbury, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 5QA.

►  Optimus Wealth Management Limited formerly Howard and Co (Mortgages) Limited, Panayi Limited, FRN:- 432564, Office 101, 1st Floor, 200 Aldersgate, London EC1A 4HD.

►  Ober Private Clients Limited, FRN:- 706215, We Work Building, One St Peter's Square, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 3DE.

►  Walker Woodhead Financial Planning Limited t/a Walker Financial Planning Limited, FRN:- 401158, 70 Market Street, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire BL8 3LJ.