Assistant Director – Commissioning, Performance and Transformation
Minutes:
The Assistant Director – Adult Social Care provided a verbal update on the ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically in relation to care providers.
Members were advised of one outbreak at Middleton Hall Care Home though it was noted that this was being managed well, and that the last positive Covid test had been recorded on 9 December 2021. It was reported that there were no staffing issues in relation to this outbreak.
Members were informed that there were no reported cases of Covid in terms of domiciliary care in relation to the Council’s two main providers, though recruitment of staff was slow. It was reported that both main providers had placed an embargo on annual leave for the remainder of the year to ensure that staffing levels were maintained. It was also reported that there were no outbreaks across day care settings.
The Assistant Director – Adult Social Care advised that the visiting guidance for care homes had changed to permit only three named visitors per resident, and that care homes in Darlington were working with families directly to implement this.
Members received the latest figures in terms of vaccinations, both for residents and staff working within care settings.
Members entered into discussion on the number of staff who had left roles after choosing not to have the Covid vaccine, and whether the booster would become mandatory for care staff.