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Further Resources
Following feedback and requests from users of ‘MUST’ the Malnutrition Action Group (MAG) has modified the ‘MUST’ BMI charts and weight loss charts, to extend the weight and height ranges, to cater for smaller and larger individuals and also to make them easier and quicker to use.
Additional versions of weight loss charts based either on current weight and weight loss in last 3-6 months or current weight and weight 3-6 months ago are also available. Both are available in metric and imperial to suit individual preferences.
The IDDSI framework consists of a continuum of 8 levels (0 – 7), where drinks are measured from Levels 0 – 4, while foods are measured from Levels 3 – 7. The IDDSI Framework provides a common terminology to describe food textures and drink thickness.
IDDSI Testing Methods are intended to confirm the flow or textural characteristics of a particular product at the time of testing. Testing should be done on foods and drinks under the intended serving conditions (especially temperature).The clinician has the responsibility to make recommendations for foods or drinks for a particular patient based on their comprehensive clinical assessment.
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are at markedly higher risk of developing and dying from COVID-19
NWADASS have developed a practical toolkit for managers in any adult social care setting including:
- Links to examples of risk assessments from a range of sectors
- Includes identifying appropriate mitigations
- Managers to adapt for their own organisation and staff
News Page and FAQs for people effected by glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) supply issues
Diabetes UK have published a News Page and FAQs about the supply issues with GLP-1 RAs, to help provide information and support to people effected by the shortages. This information will also be signposted to from our most recent Update and Balance magazines. As an organisation we are supporting the Department for Health and Social Care’s recent guidance, which states clinicians should not prescribe these drugs outside of their licensed use until the supply issues are rectified. We are also having ongoing discussions with the manufacturer and the Department for Health and Social Care about our concerns over how this is impacting people with diabetes. Please remember that the Diabetes UK Helpline is also available if people are anxious or worried and need to talk with someone about the impact of the shortages are having on them. Diabetes UK’s helpline staff have been provided with detailed FAQs to help them respond to calls about these issues.
Diabetes UK updated their ‘Support in the North of England’ leaflet for your patients
Diabetes UK have updated their Diabetes UK Support in the North of England Leaflet, to reflect our latest peer support offers and new Instagram page. See here the Support for North PDF, that can be shared with patients digitally. Alternatively, if printed versions would be useful please get in touch and they can see about getting some sent out to you.
Have you listened to Diabetes UK’s podcast episode on diabetes and mental wellbeing?
Diabetes doesn’t just impact you physically – it’s something you have to think about every single day. People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population. Get tips and hear from Kayleigh who has type 2 diabetes, host Jack Woodfield who has type 1 diabetes and consultant psychiatrist Dr Amrit Sachar. Visit our podcast series ‘Diabetes Discussions’ on our podcast hub, on Acast, Apple and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. They also have lots of information about diabetes and mental wellbeing on their website and our helpline is also available for anyone who needs to talk to someone about the impact of their diabetes.
Join the newly launched diabetes leadership community
The community offers space for you to connect with your peers from across the UK health system. A space where you can continue to learn and grow in a flexible way that suits you, to lead the changes that diabetes care needs. The community is open to all health professionals working in diabetes care and you can learn more about the activities already planned on our diabetes leadership community webpage.
Diabetes videos available in different languages
Did you know that Diabetes UK have a suite of videos available in different languages? They have been produced for our Learning Zone, but are also available on their You Tube channel. They cover diabetes, diabetes myths and some on Ramadan in Urdu, Punjabi and Sylheti (Bangladesh). You can find them on their You Tube playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/@diabetesuk/playlists
Need printed resources for your patients? Order them free and direct from the Diabetes UK online shop
Diabetes UK have a large selection of printed and downloadable diabetes related resources available, which you can order for free from their online shop. Visit shop.diabetes.org.uk to see what’s available and to place your order.
Health Education England (HEE) has commissioned skills software to organisations free of charge.
All NHS trusts, community, primary and adult social care employers can now use Basic and Key Skills Builder (bksb) software for staff development and upskilling.
Bksb can be used as a self-study platform to help prepare individuals for their functional skills qualification in English and Maths. The software can also be used by employers to perform skills analysis to aid workforce planning and for general upskilling of employees.
The software has enabled HEE to support individuals who might otherwise have not had the opportunity to begin, or progress through, a career pathway due to their Maths and English. It should not be used as a screening tool for recruitment or to exclude staff from employment or educational opportunities.
For organisations interested in using this platform, contact [email protected] with the main contact for the organisation and an estimated number of learners.
If you have any further questions contact an HEE regional apprenticeship relationship manager.
LSCFT have worked with care homes across Lancashire and South Cumbria to promote the hydration of residents. This link can be followed to the toolkit and resources.
Shout Connect has access to a limited number of Business Support Opportunities for the Care Sector, these spaces are available for all Care Homes and Care Providers based throughout the North West.
The support available is tailored around your needs, and delivered in small group sessions with others from your sector to allow interaction, idea sharing and focused development. The group decides on the topic, with experts in the required area invited, to assist with further developing strategies.
Topics can include:-
- Social Media and Marketing
- HR & Staff Retention
- Company Culture
- Recruitment
- & Much More
This support is fully funded and a great opportunity to gain knowledge and develop ideas – places are extremely limited and sessions will be starting mid-February.
For more information, or to get involved, contact Ian Coupe at Shout Connect on (01772) 935930 or e-mail – [email protected]
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
The Department of Health and Social Care has asked SCIE to develop a series of free webinars to support care providers to learn about important social care topics, including the Mental Capacity Act 2005
The LSAB page links to a number of best practice resources on MCA developed by the Lancashire MCA sub group members.
The Capacity Tracker is a very important tool to help you update and reflect any changes within your care setting. The information collected is crucial and is reviewed on a daily basis by teams across the DHSC and NHSE to be able to target support where it is most needed.
The Capacity Tracker system is key to you providing a safe patient service, protecting acute capacity and keeping business viability
Information should be updated on a daily basis and reflect any changes within your care setting. An important action that we are asking you to complete straight away is to make sure that your contact details are up to date, including an email address.
The Capacity Tracker team are always on hand to help you with any issues or queries you may have ([email protected]) or 0191 691 3729
There are resources available on the Capacity Tracker website, follow the Help drop down to access guidance and information and the main menu will have updates and important changes that have been made to the Capacity Tracker.
The Greater Manchester Training Hub have an on-line free training package – supporting the delivery of mouth care in a community and residential care home settings
This training will help care settings be CQC compliant, in line with NICE Guidance & Standards (NG48 & QS151)
A COVID testing webinar/training video has been produced by Kristy Atkinson, Deputy Designated professional for Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity Act ( Greater Preston CCG, Chorley and South Ribble CCG and West Lancashire CCG). This covers testing, MCA, the law and legal escalation. It now sits on YouTube here.
The LSAB page links to a number of best practice resources on MCA developed by the Lancashire MCA sub group members.
A series of short videos (around 3 minutes each) describe how to take measurements from residents correctly (such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation), spot the soft signs of deterioration, and prevent the spread of infection.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrVQaAxyJE3cJ1fB9K2poc9pXn7b9WcQg
1. Introduction to serious illness for carers | |
2. Preventing the spread of infection | |
3. Soft signs of deterioration | |
4. NEWS What is it? | |
5. Measuring the respiratory rate | |
6. Measuring oxygen saturation | |
7. Measuring blood pressure | |
8. Measuring the heart rate | |
9. Measuring level of alertness | |
10. How to measure temperature | |
11. Calculating and recording a NEWS score | |
12. Structured communication and escalation | |
13. Treatment escalation plans and resuscitation | |
14. Recognising deterioration with a learning disability |
NW Ageing Well – Concerned about a Resident Care Home Information Pack Winter 22/23
The pack has been jointly developed with care home colleagues and Place leads from across the region.
The aim is to support care home staff and raise awareness of additional community services to access where there are concerns about a resident.
NW Ageing Well – Concerned about a Resident Care Home Information Pack Winter 22-23