28.1.21


GUIDANCE UPDATE

Discharge Into Care Homes: Designated Settings

NEW GUIDANCE

BACKGROUND

Public Health England in collaboration with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Department for Health and Social Care have issued new guidance: “Discharge into care homes: designated settings”.


The guidance relates to people who:


  • are being discharged from hospital;
  • have received a positive Covid-19 test result; and
  • are being transferred to a care home.


The guidance aims to support the safe discharge of people leaving hospital who have tested positive for Covid-19 and to protect care home residents and staff from infection.


In certain specific situations, these people may be required to be transferred to a "step-down or designated setting" rather than returning to their original care home. Local Authorities and CCGs may be involved with the set up of these “designated or step-down settings.”


INFORMATION SUPPORT DOCUMENT

To help Local Authorities & CCGs set up step down/ designated settings in relation to medicines, we have prepared an information support document covering:

Rationale

The thinking behind the preparation and release of the guidance

CQC Requirements

What standards and actions Local Authorities/ CCGs need to meet and achieve

Challenges

Particular issues relating to medicines that may be faced when implementing the guidance

Support

What assistance OPUS can provide to help Local Authorities & CCGs implement the guidance quickly and effectively