Please note, with the vaccine roll-out and the gradual release from lockdown, critical changes relating to later life advice and care advice are becoming much less frequent so we have decided that as of May 2021 we will no longer be actively updating this page.
If you are not already a Care Box member, you can keep up to date by subscribing to our free monthly newsletter. Just contact us and ask to be added to our free mailing list.
Knowing what should be happening in the care sector helps clients to know what to expect if someone is going into care, and also helps them challenge the authorities if they feel that something is not happening as it should be.
For a single entry point for general information on coronavirus from either UK or devolved government information see the following links:
- UK – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- Northern Ireland –https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/
articles/coronavirus-covid-19- overview-and-advice - Scotland – https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/
- Wales – https://gov.wales/coronavirus
For a single point of entry in respect of the ongoing FCA response to coronavius for firms see the following link:
https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/information-firms-coronavirus-covid-19-response
The following dated postings relate primarily to either healthcare, socialcare or later life issues that financial advisers giving advice in these areas should be aware of.
July 09 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19): (UPDATE) support for care homes
Updated to include a link to a list of local authorities that have published information online on how they’ve spent funding for adult social care during the pandemic…
July 07 2020 (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
A further update to the previous update earlier today – this time adding a link to local lockdown requirements, as well as some editing to the section about signing LPAs in Scotland and NI…
July 06 2020 (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for people receiving direct payments
Today’s update added an easy read document, ‘Using direct payments during the coronavirus outbreak: guidance for people receiving direct payments and personal assistants’…
July 03 2020 (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak (from the Office of the Public Guardian)
Useful guidance from the OPG on how to make and register a Lasting Power of Attorney during the pandemic. This has now been updated in line with new Covid-19 guidance and regulations…
July 03 2020 (UPDATE) Gov.uk: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Office of the Public Guardian response
Comprehensive guidance on how OPG is responding to the coronavirus outbreak. This has now been updated to show that the Contact Centre has changed its opening times and information about visits has changed…
July 03 2020 (OFFICIAL STATISTICS) Gov.uk: Impact of coronavirus in Care Homes in England (Vivaldi): 26 May to 19 June 2020
First results of the Vivaldi study on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across 9,000 care homes in England between 26 May and 19 June 2020 are in. The publication provides estimates of staff and care home residents testing positive for COVID-19 across this group of care homes, and highlights some factors that may increase the risk of infection in these settings…
July 03 2020 (PRESS RELEASE) Gov.uk: Regular retesting rolled out for care home staff and residents
Staff and residents in care homes for over 65s and those with dementia will receive regular coronavirus tests from next week as part of a new social care testing strategy…
July 02 2020 (UPDATE) Gov.uk: COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information
This week’s number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19 to PHE by local authorities, regions and PHE centres…
June 19 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk – Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
This document has been extensively updated throughout to reflect the care homes support package announced on 15 May and the latest advice on testing, and infection prevention and control…
June 19 2020: Gov.uk – Coronavirus (COVID-19): reducing risk in adult social care
A framework for how adult social care employers should assess and reduce risk to their workforce during the coronavirus pandemic…
June 18 2020: Use of personal protective equipment in care homes during Covid-19 transmission – updated guidance
Public Health England has produced updated guidance for care home staff, explaining how PPE should be used to protect residents and staff …
June 15 2020: Gov.uk – Covid-19 Support for the bereaved
Information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic…
June 15 2020 : (UPDATE) Gov.uk – Covid-19 Looking after people who lack mental capacity
This document has been updated to add Welsh translations of the main guidance document, and annexes A and B…
June 15 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk – Covid-19 How to work safely in domiciliary care in England
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
This resource has been updated from the previous version of this document…
June 15 2020: (UPDATE) Gov.uk – Covid-19 How to work safely in care homes
Guidance for those working in care homes providing information on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19. This resource has been updated from the previous version of this document…
June 11 2020: Gov.uk : (Update) COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information
Check this week’s number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19…
June 08 2020; (UPDATE) Gov.uk: COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Updated guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19..
June 08 2020: Gov.uk: Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England
Every care home in England will now be offered a coronavirus test for all residents and staff, even if they have no symptoms…
June 07 2020: Gov.uk: COVID-19 tests offered to every care home for elderly or those with dementia
Test kits have been offered to every care home for over-65s or those with dementia in England, reaching the testing target for 6 June…
June 04 2020 Gov.uk : COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management information
This document gives the weekly number and percentage of care homes reporting a suspected or confirmed outbreak of COVID-19…