News reports located on this page = 4.

Huge Worth of Social Care Nurses

ON International Nurses' Day, Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has called for due recognition of the 40,000 registered nurses working in care homes. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "2020 is the Year of the Nurse; the challenges brought about by Covid 19 have shone a light on the exceptional role care home nurses play. It is imperative to thank all those nurses working in adult social care who have risen to the challenge and made such an important difference for care home residents at this unprecedented time."

Recognising and celebrating the value of adult social care nurses is a key part of the WHO Year of the Nurse. Care England wants to ensure that nurses working in adult social care can be put on an equal footing with their colleagues in the NHS; at present nurses in adult social care are paid 7% less than the rates available in the NHS. Greater equivocation of pay will enable social care providers to recruit and retain staff which is all the more important as care homes work through this pandemic. Martin Green continues:- "Care home nurses are leading and managing complex care, they are also reassuring families and colleagues; the very essence of nursing and this needs to be celebrated."

New guidance published to ensure transport network is safe for those who need to use it

NEW guidance provides advice on how passengers should make journeys safely, following the publication of the Government's roadmap and strategy for the next phase of the pandemic. It urges people to consider cycling, walking or driving to help ensure there is enough capacity for those who need to travel on public transport to do so safely. As the Transport Secretary stated on Saturday, even as public transport begins to revert to a full service, the 2 metre social distancing rule would only leave effective capacity for 1 in 10 passengers on many parts of the network. The advice sets out that if people cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport. Those driving their own cars have been asked to avoid busy areas or those who have to use public transport, the guidance for passengers on how to travel safely recommends:-

► Keeping 2 metres apart from others wherever possible.

► Wearing a face covering if you can.

► Using contactless payment where possible.

► Avoiding rush hour travel where feasible.

► Washing or sanitising your hands as soon as possible before and after travel.

► Following advice from staff and being considerate to others.

All transport operators have been issued guidance on ensuring stations and services are regularly cleaned, making clear to passengers how to stay 2 metres apart where possible in:- Stations, Airports and Ports, and to ensure routes for passengers are clearly communicated to avoid crowding. The Government's guidance also sets out steps operators should take to provide safe workplaces and services for their staff and passengers across all modes of private and public transport.

To help reduce pressure on the transport network so there is space for social distancing where possible, the Transport Secretary has spoken to train and bus operators and Local Authorities to ensure they increase the number of available services over the coming weeks.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:- "Transport operators and staff have been working hard to ensure that people who need to get to work are able to do so, including crucial NHS workers and all those on the frontline of the fight against the virus. Alongside the cycling and walking revolution we are launching, and clear guidance to passengers and operators published today, we can all play our part by following the advice and reducing pressure on public transport. If we take these steps, all those who need to use public transport should feel confident that they can do so safely, with the space to maintain social distancing as far as possible."

This follows the Transport Secretary announcing a ₤2bn package of cycling and walking investment, on Saturday, that will deliver a green revolution in travel, easing the pressure on public transport services by helping more people than ever choose alternative forms of travel. This included ₤250million for Local Authorities in England to create pop up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus only corridors.

The Government's strategy and advice recognises that there will be times and some settings on public transport where social distancing is not possible. The new guidance outlines how people should try to minimise the duration of this, and take all necessary steps to observe these measures where possible.

New platform Generosity Bank launches to connect small businesses with local skilled professionals through Skills Based Volunteering

THE new service Generosity Bank, enables small businesses to tap into the local talent in their community through short term skills based volunteering.  According to NCVO over 21 million people in the UK volunteer at least once a year and this contributes an estimated ₤23.9bn to the UK economy. However, the 2018/2019 Community Life states that the top reasons for not volunteering are due to work commitments and lack of available time. Generosity Bank aims to combat this through enabling people to volunteer their professional skills and help small businesses within their local vicinity on a 1 off or short term basis whilst strengthening their community ties. The Generosity Bank platform allows small businesses to register their details and create a public post, detailing the help they need and the skills they require. Volunteers follow a quick sign up process where they select their skills and the type of small businesses they want to help, before searching through local businesses in their chosen area requesting assistance. The platform automatically alerts the small business when a volunteer applies through the site.

"Generosity Bank has been in the making over the last 2 years and I am incredibly proud to finally launch the service. The website aims to ease some of the anxiety small business owners may feel when they experience skills gaps in their business, enabling them to tap into the generosity of local skilled professionals whilst hopefully bringing communities closer together. Contributing and actively participating in your local community is something that everyone can do, even from home. If small businesses flourish, members of the community reap the rewards of the diversity of local services offered, diversity of options in local high streets, increased community connections, a sense of local community pride, community spirit and of course, a stronger local economy that is the catalyst for so many other benefits." said Shana Doherty, Generosity Bank Founder.

Michelle Ovens MBE, Founder of Small Business Britain says:- "This is a fantastic service and one which is much needed at a time when many independent businesses face tremendous challenges. Enabling talented people to donate their time and expertise to local enterprises promotes a sense of community and strengthens the local economy. Small businesses have incredibly valuable skills and make a huge difference and contribution to society. Creating a volunteering movement like this unlocks the potential of the volunteers, the small businesses and the communities in which we live."

If you are interested in signing up as a volunteer or a small business organisation go to:- GenerosityBank.Com. Large and established organisations are able to get involved by becoming a Partner. For more information about becoming a Partner use the contact form on the Partners page of the website. The fee based service will be free to use in an effort to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Generosity Bank is available for use by small businesses and volunteers across the UK.

Lib Dems order investigation into whether care home residents are being hospitalised when needed

THE Liberal Democrats have raised serious concerns about whether elderly people in care homes are being taken to Hospital when they need to amidst the Coronavirus crisis, and ordered an investigation. In the week ending 24 April 2020, it was estimated around 10% of all COVID deaths were outside Hospital, in Manchester. This has now risen to 23% and is likely to increase further. Currently, only 1 in 3 care homes in Manchester have a case of Coronavirus, yet nearly a quarter of all deaths are outside Hospitals; most likely in a care home. The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about whether elderly people in care homes who need to go to Hospital are doing so, given the figures seem at such odds with each other. The party also warned that an outbreak in the remaining 2 out of 3 care homes in the City could lead to as many as 50% of all deaths coming from care homes, based on current statistics. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the North John Leech said:- "Something doesn't make sense. How can we be sure patients in care homes who need to go to Hospital are actually going if only one in three care homes is infected, but the percentage of people dying in care homes is so high, and increasing? We know that elderly people are among the most vulnerable to COVID19 and we must be sure that everyone who needs to be taken to Hospital is going. Every life is equal. These figures and the action taken in our City's Care Homes must be urgently reviewed to ensure the most vulnerable are properly protected and get the care they need, when they need it."