COVID-19 communications update – 2 June 2020

General

• Updated guidance if you are shielding – the Government has updated the guidance for people who are shielding and classed as extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. As of yesterday (1 June), people who are shielding:
  • can now meet one other person from a different household, as long as they maintain strict social distancing and keep two metres apart. The advice is that it’s the same person each time
  • should continue to avoid all non-essential face-to-face contact. This means they should still not go shopping or to pharmacies.
• The support for shielded people remains in place and unchanged. The Government has also confirmed it will be reviewing shielding guidance alongside wider changes to social distancing, including plans to write to those on the shielding patients list with information about next steps on shielding after the next review on 15 June.
• All staff briefing – thank you to everyone who dialled in earlier. For those of you unable to join the call or who want to review the points made, read the Staff briefing roundup.
• Staff quiz night – as mentioned by Vanessa in today’s staff briefing. We’re looking to hold a virtual quiz on either 18 or 25 June – date to be confirmed. Let us know if you would be interested in taking part by using the voting buttons above.

HR

• Joint statement from Herts and west Essex ICS CEOs – read a statement from our Integrated Care System (ICS) chief executives. It details the support for our BAME staff colleagues in response to COVID-19.
• Special leave – the CCG is aware there are a number of staff who’ve been experiencing difficulties carrying out their full duties as a result of having to care for someone at home during the lockdown period. Some have been unable to work at all during this period and where this has been the case, the CCG has followed the Government guidelines. The current government guidelines state the following:
• What happens if I need time off work to look after someone else? :
• If working from home is not possible in the circumstances, in line with our Special Leave Policy you are entitled to request Carers Leave supported by your annual leave and additional unpaid leave if required. This would apply to situations such as if you have children and you need to look after or arrange childcare for them because their school has closed.
• As a result of concerns being raised by staff that this could potentially disadvantage those with caring responsibilities, the CCG has taken the decision to extend the provisions of the Special Leave Policy and continue to consider individual circumstances until 30 June, when the situation will again be reviewed.
• Annual leave – even during these challenging and busy times, it’s still important to take time off work to rest and relax. We also don’t want to get towards the end of the financial year and have everyone trying to take leave at the same time – when it might not be possible to do so. We would therefore urge everyone to consider planning ahead and use their annual leave before the end of the year.

Primary Care

• Primary Care Covid-19 briefing – read Issue 31 – Primary Care COVID-19 briefing. If you would like to include any content, please email Sarah Crane or Naomi Brooks

Further advice and support

• Every Mind Matters – has lots of practical advice on how to look after your mental health during these uncertain times.
• AskHUE – for the latest advice and information for staff, including previous daily comms bulletins
• NHS website – for information on the virus, symptoms and how to prevent it spreading
• UK website – for national advice, including full guidance on staying at home and away from others

Look out for your next COVID comms update next Tuesday.