On 18 September 2020 the Social Care COVID -19 Support Taskforce produced its final report, advice and recommendations. The Taskforce was commissioned in June 2020 and completed its work in August 2020 reporting to the Minister of State for Care. It consisted of leaders from across government and from the social care sector and was …
The Social Care COVID-19 Support Taskforce Report Read More »
Following criticism of how Public Health England has handled the coronavirus pandemic, today, 18 August 2020, Matt Hancock has unveiled the National Institute for Health Protection, to replace Public Health England, to defend UK from infectious diseases and biological weapons. The Government has said: “The National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP) will bring together the …
National Institute for Health Protection replaces Public Health England Read More »
The Government has today (16 July 2020) announced that £62 million of funding will be given to local councils to accelerate discharge of patients with learning disabilities or autism (or both) from mental health hospitals into the community. Named the Community Discharge Fund, the funding will help to move people with learning disabilities and autistic …
Key commentators on the adult social care sector (ADASS, LGA and Care England) have all commented on the strict nature of the rules that apply to any local authority and provider that wishes to access funds which were announced on 15 May 2020. Councils are allowed to access the additional monies to support care homes …
The CQC has suspended routine inspections and are no longer requiring providers to complete Provider Information Requests (PIRS). However, in order for the CQC to continue its regulatory function it has introduced the Emergency Support Framework (ESF). The framework considers a wealth of information and intelligence, including information from: NHS Capacity Tracker ‘Update CQC on …
Information Request Duplication – CQC and ADASS Joint Statement Read More »
Our solicitors Caroline Barker, Samantha Cox and Maddi Gaunt discuss Ofsted, its functions and characteristics and how providers might deal with any intervention by this notoriously difficult regulator.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIPNzyUo4zg
We know from reports in the press and from our clients that there have been significant disparities between different Local Authorities’ reactions to the covid-19 pandemic in the care sector. In particular, we have seen significant variation how they have allocated and distributed funding support to Adult Social Care providers following central government’s allocation of …
The Department of Health and Social Care guidance “Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014” was first published on 31 March 2020 and has now been updated. A copy can be accessed here. From 20 May 2020, the changes made to the guidance reflects the fact that local MPs have been added to the …
Updates to the “Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to the Care Act 2014” guidance Read More »
The largest care home operator in the UK has written to social care commissioners to request support to protect its income to the equivalent of 90% occupancy levels. At least one of the commissioners that it works with has agreed to offer the assistance it has requested. The death rate within its care homes is …
Occupancy levels in care homes during Coronavirus – provider seeks help Read More »
Derbyshire Council has until 11 May to respond to a legal challenge to its decision to relax its adherence to the Care Act by taking the measures set out in the Care Act easements provided for in the Act and supported by accompanying guidance. If the Council does not respond by 11 May they are …
Legal challenge to Local Authority’s use of Care Act Easements Read More »
Ridouts is a team of specialist health and social care lawyers, providing dedicated legal advice for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals.
info@ridout-law.com • +44 (0) 207 317 0340
7-10 Chandos Street, W1G 9DQ, London
