Minister hears about Wiltshire Council's work with care providers

Minister for Care Helen Whately MP joined Wiltshire Council and care providers to talk about relationships with care homes during COVID-19.
 
The Minister heard from Matthew Airey, Founding Director, Wessex Care and Wiltshire Care Partnership Chair; and members of Wiltshire Council including Cllr Simon Jacobs, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.
 
The Minister said: "It's really helpful for me to hear about what you're doing, both in terms of what we can do to encourage these initiatives in other areas, and how we can build these into longer-term reforms."
 
Since mid-April, the council has worked in partnership with the CCG, Wiltshire Care Partnership and CQC to review risks to and support needed by all local care homes.
 
A COVID-19 provider team was established with a dedicated helpline and email address and currently operates six days per week supporting care providers. 
 
The team keeps in regular contact with providers, organising the delivery of PPE where needed, providing easy to read guidance, organising regular webinars to share good practice, and problem solving, as well as a one-stop shop for advice and guidance on infection prevention and control.
 
Matthew Airey explained how important the two-way conversation between local authority and partners and providers has been and the meeting discussed how partnership is key.
 
The Covid-19 team runs regular thematic forums, with their most recent being a virtual infection control training session in response to requests from care homes. 
 
Cllr Jacobs said: "This was a great opportunity to provide the Minister with an insight into the great partnership work going on in Wiltshire. We covered a range of topics and shared the good practice which has made such a difference."