COVID-19: Latest Updates
Focused Upon Keeping Everyone Safe
Update 12:20 pm - 23 March 2020
Following the Government’s announcement yesterday evening to remain at home unless essential, we are implementing some additional aspects of our Business Continuity Plan. This announcement from the Government was widely expected so we have already prepared for this so it does not cause any disruption to the services that we deliver.
However, we have decided to use this as an opportunity to implement some additional measures that we have been preparing. These are the additional measures we are now taking:
- All training sessions (except our Moving and Handling Practical) will be conducted over the Internet. We have already been adopting high levels of personal hygiene and social distancing during training; however, we have developed a method of delivery for our training over the Internet.
- Our Moving and Handling Practical training will continue to be delivered whilst maintaining our usual high levels of personal hygiene and social distancing. We are carefully recruiting additional team members to support our team during this epidemic, but you can be assured we are taking all the precautions necessary and we are going beyond Government advice to be extra cautious.
- From Thursday 26th March, we are closing our office premises for day-to-day use. We have already implemented restrictions on visitors to our offices, however, we believe it is now prudent for our branch teams to work from home. We have the resources for this, and it will not impact the service delivery to any of our clients.
We would like to assure our clients that our services are continuing as usual and we are fully prepared to support our clients and their wellbeing. If you have any questions or concerns, then please contact us on 0333 200 7199.
Extra support for our team
Update 14:15 pm - 19 March 2020
We understand there may be concern within our teams about COVID-19 and the implications of the virus. We recognise that our team have remained professional throughout and continued with the usual dedication that we expect at The Great Care Company. We are very proud of you all.
For many companies, the virus has caused major implications in their ability to function. Fortunately for us, we have always dedicated a lot of resources to advanced planning and, therefore, we have a very strong Business Continuity Plan supported by a high level of financial planning. We have set aside a healthy budget to support our team during this time and we are triggering some financial support elements of our plan.
We are announcing the following measures from today:
- All staff will receive 2 weeks of additional annual leave this year. This additional annual leave can be taken instead of sick pay, so that if any of our employees need to self-isolate then they do not have the extra worry of financial pressure. By providing this additional annual leave to all our staff, this means that anyone who doesn’t get any symptoms doesn’t lose out and they get an extra 2 weeks annual leave too.
- Any unused annual leave from this annual leave year (2019/20) will be carried through into next year. This means there is no pressure to use up your leave before our usual annual leave deadline of 30th November. It also means our staff will be able to use their leave when social distancing measures are relaxed, and they can enjoy their leave.
- Anyone who needs to self-isolate will be assigned a ‘buddy’ to help with shopping and other essential errands e.g. medication collection. We want to make sure our team get plenty of rest if they need to self-isolate and that they make a full recovery. This ‘buddy’ would be paid for any support we organise for the employee who is self-isolating.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our team for their continued dedication and for being part of The Great Care Company team.
Will school closures impact care services delivered by The Great Care Company?
Update 17:39 pm - 18 March 2020
We are aware of the latest update regarding school closures and we are pleased to advise that we have prepared for this scenario.
We will now be implementing the "School Closure" aspect of our Business Continuity Plan. There will be minimal disruption, as our team are prepared for shifts swaps, so that those who have children are moved to working evenings and weekends. Our employees with children have our full support, as always, and we are working closely with our teams.
We are also aware that there may be childcare support from the Government, which we are not expecting to need. However, if our position changes then we are aware that we can potentially access further childcare support from the Government as a form of contingency.
Please be assured, we are working very hard behind the scenes to avoid any disruption to our clients.
Free support for shopping and medications for our existing clients
Update 9:07 am - 18 March 2020
We have announced that we will be offering free collection of food and medication to all our existing clients and any clients who join us during this epidemic.
We are aware that there are several stories circulating in the media about "scammers" who are offering to carry out grocery shopping for self-isolating older people and then keeping the cash for themselves (source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8121213/Scammers-stealing-money-elderly-coronavirus-outbreak-offering-shopping.html). We are both shocked and saddened by this, and this has prompted us to offer this service for free to our clients.
Working Together To Keep Everyone Safe
Update 19:27 pm - 17 March 2020
Since the outbreak of the virus we have taken certain precautions, shared guidance with our staff and updated documentation. To be transparent about the steps we have already taken please see below:
- We have issued specific COVID-19 guidance (including a COVID-19 factsheet) to all staff, which they’re are required to read and sign.
- We have added a COVID-19 factsheet to all care plans.
- We are issuing regular updates to our staff with further guidance on the latest with COVID-19.
- We have launched a dedicated web page on our website for the latest updates and changes relating to our company, regarding COVID-19.
- We have over stocked on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to ensure we can continue to provide service if there were to be equipment shortages.
- Our Local Offices are now in operation 7 days a week, however any visitors (that are not essential) to the office has been prohibited.
- We have created specific communication logs for anything related to COVID-19 for easy access and recording of information.
- We have recruited additional staff, in line with our contingency plans.
- We have cancelled Team Meetings for branches and their field-based staff until further notice to stop any infection (not just COVID-19) being passed on from other staff members.
- We have ceased all other forms of non-essential contact (e.g. staff supervisions, appraisals, etc) within our company and moved towards “telephone meetings only”, so that the level of contact between our team is reduced whilst maintaining strong communication.
- We are now regularly communicating with our clients to track any symptoms they may have and to conduct “telephone welfare checks”.
- Our teams have also been instructed to strictly follow this handwashing protocol. We also advise you and loved ones to do the same where possible.
All staff should wash their hands:
- Before leaving home
- On arrival to place of work
- After using the toilet
- After breaks and sporting activities
- Before food preparation
- Before eating any food, including snacks
- Before leaving work
- On arrival at home
- We have issued staff with their own kitchen roll (to dry hands after washing upon entering the property, so they do not use client towels or kitchen roll), hand sanitiser, gloves and aprons. We have a supply of masks, which are to be used only if medical guidance advises of their use.
- We have implemented refresher training with all staff on Infection Control including additional training on COVID-19 specifically.
What is COVID-19 (commonly known as the coronavirus) and its symptoms?
Update 17:14 pm - 17 March 2020
COVID-19 is a new respiratory illness more commonly known in the media as coronavirus.
Initial symptoms are generally a fever or cough but it is difficult to assess so we find the following table useful to show how the symptoms compare to other common conditions:
*Sources: WHO, CDC, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
What Can We Do to Keep Safe?
Update 17:00pm - 17 March 2020
We must follow the WHO (World Health Organisation) advice and the advice provided by Public Health England to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting the virus.
Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands regularly and properly with soap and water for around 20 seconds. If you cannot access running water and soap then Alcohol-based gel is recommended until you can wash your hand properly again.
Social Distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing (social distancing).
Avoid Touching Your Face
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses.
Practice Respiratory Hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the used tissue immediately. If you do not have access to a tissue, then use your bent elbow to cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
Clean Area’s Regularly
Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people. We are advising our team to do this whenever possible in their place of work.
Stay Informed
Follow the advice given by 111, your GP or Public Health England. National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on where COVID-19 is spreading and if it is in our area. They are best placed to advise on what you should be doing to protect yourselves and others.
To find out more about COVID-19 and advice for situations of self-isolating by visiting the Public Health England website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
What Should I Do If I Think I’m Displaying Symptoms of COVID-19?
Update 16:30pm - 17 March 2020
If there's a chance you could have coronavirus, you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Please do not panic, contact us and we will help you with the next steps. We have implemented effective ways to minimise the risk of transmission through safe working procedures, but we do need you to contact us before your next scheduled visit so that we can support you accordingly.
If your symptoms are mild (and you live alone):
Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:
- A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
- Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
*You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.
If your symptoms are mild and you live with others (i.e. a household):
Everyone in your household needs to stay at home for 14 days if you have either:
- A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
- Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
*You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.
If someone in your household has symptoms and even if you are not showing symptoms:
Everyone in your household needs to stay at home for 14 days if someone in your household has either:
- A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
- Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
*You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.
If your symptoms are serious:
If you do have any concern or any underlying health conditions, it is advised to speak to 111 for further guidance.
If possible, either yourself or a member of your family should advise your local office team that you are concerned about your symptoms as soon as possible so we can continue to support you accordingly.
Further Updates
Update 16:20pm - 17 March 2020
We will be providing further updates on our Website regarding the COVID-19 virus. We will not be issuing further letters, as the guidance from the Government is changing daily and we have taken the decision that maintaining this dedicated page on our website with the latest information is more sustainable. We understand that not all clients have access to the Internet – in these instances, please telephone 0333 200 7199 for an update or to discuss any questions you have.
We will be continuing to dedicate appropriate resources towards COVID-19 and we are committed to managing this situation to the highest level which is why we are implementing our contingency plans. Our aim is to minimise any disruption to your services so you should not notice any changes to the quality of service you are accustomed too.
If you do have any concerns or feel you have to inform us of any changes to your own health, then please do not hesitate to contact your local office branch.