Important coronavirus information for unpaid carers

Latest coronavirus guidance and health advice 5th November 2020

Please see some useful information and links for the most up to date information during the coronavirus crisis.

– Page updated 4th May 2020 –

Government guidance

The government has released the latest guidance for unpaid carers

Government guidance for unpaid carers

Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to friends or family

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for those who provide unpaid care to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults

NHS Guidance

The NHS is providing advice and information on dealing with coronavirus

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for carers

Please see the guidance relating to PPE for carers including PPE requirements, items, how to order and using PPE correctly.

Please read this important notice from Public Health England – Personal protective equipment (PPE) – resource for care workers delivering homecare  during sustained COVID-19 transmission in the UK

How to use PPE, including a video:

COVID-19: safe use of personal protective equipment use for non-aerosol generating procedures

COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE)

COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC)

Considerations for acute personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages

Infection control – Best practice hand wash

Information on laundry and waste disposal – Stay at home: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

Free online infection control courses – Prevention & Control of Infection NCFE/CACHE Level 2 Certificate

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Coronavirus testing for carers

The Coronavirus National Testing Programme has now expanded to include essential workers and anyone over 65 years of age who need to self-isolate due to having coronavirus-like symptoms or because a member of their household has symptoms.

Please see the GOV.UK website for full details: Apply for a coronavirus test

 Training 

Many providers including ourselves have training available online.

Training is just as important as it has ever been.

Free training via The Disability Resource Centre. See all the latest free courses, workshops and support programmes.

Learning opportunities are available for coronavirus awareness training.  This includes: Coronavirus Awareness Training – CCG

Training Directory:

Directory of Care Courses and Information – CCG

Skills for Care:

Skills for Care – Home

COVID-19: Essential training

Other online learning opportunities – There are many distance learning courses available through local colleges that can be completed online including:

Common Health Conditions

Infection Control

Falls prevention

Understanding Mental Health

Principles of Dementia Care 

Working in Adult Social Care

Understanding Autism

Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Difficulties

Check our local colleges for the latest online learning courses:

Bedford College Distance Learning

Central Bedfordshire College Distance Learning

More useful links

There are many local support groups who can help with shopping, including those on the Covid Mutual Aid website.

We built a special page with the latest coronavirus information for older people and vulnerable people.

Practical information covering issues during the coronavirus crisis from Carers UK.

Coronavirus guidance from Skills for Care including residential care, supported living and home care guidance, with guidance on key workers.

Learning Disability England (LDE) –  Easy to read information on the coronavirus.

Mark Bates Ltd, Insurance company have shared useful information for employers and the self-employed during the coronavirus situation.

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Help with food and essential supplies

If you or the person you care for has a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, you can register for help from the government with deliveries of food and essential supplies.

Register for help if you are extremely vulnerable on the government website.

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Local foodbanks – Get the latest information about food banks in our area:

Luton Foodbank

Luton Borough Council

 Citizens Advice Bureau

Carers UK – A-Z of benefits, assessments and support

We are here to help

You can contact our telephone helpline on 0300 303 0201 open Monday to Friday in office hours and on Tuesdays we are open for telephone calls until 7pm. Or send us an email.

We are here with a listening ear too, offering emotional support to unpaid carers in Luton.

Attend one of virtual coffee mornings on

Events

We can help with information and advice on the range of topics and connect you to other local services

Advice & Information

Speak to The Disability Resource Centre regarding your equipment needs on 01582 470900 our visit the website

Disability equipment