Month: November 2020

In the first comprehensive analysis of how public services responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Lords Public Services Committee says “fundamental weaknesses” must be addressed to make services resilient enough to withstand future crises.

Hundreds of thousands of “invisible” children are falling through gaps between social and education services across England, the committee has warned in a new report – A critical juncture for public services: lessons from COVID-19. The report found:

• Just one in 10 vulnerable children went to school during  lockdown
• Not enough support for prevention and early intervention services
• Fight against health inequality should be Government priority
• Good work and innovation “will be lost” without reform

You can read the report by visiting Disability Rights UK website

Wednesday 18th November 2020 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have had many queries regarding PPE, how to obtain it and how to purchase it.  Those employing PAs through their direct payment either from health or social care are able to purchase PPE from their Direct Payment, and some Local Authorities have also had systems where the PPE can be provided direct.

Government guidance was updated on 3^rd November 2020 and now includes a full list of who to contact within your Local Authority to request PPE. The link to the guidance is below, but we have also put the text for the local councils on this page, to save you searching:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal-protective-equipment-ppe-local-contacts-for-care-providers?utm_source=69c4688b-984b-47c5-a657-ddde999d58d7&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=daily#eligible-providers

Gateshead

Email: andreatickner@gateshead.gov.uk

In Gateshead, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

Newcastle upon Tyne

Email: newcastleppe@newcastle.gov.uk

In Newcastle, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

North Tyneside

Email: ppe@northtyneside.gov.uk

In North Tyneside, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

Northumberland

Email: northumberlandppe@northumberland.gov.uk

In Northumberland, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

South Tyneside

Email: craig.danks@southtyneside.gov.uk

In South Tyneside, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

County Durham

Email: PPERequests@durham.gov.uk

In County Durham, the contact details above can be used to supply:

·        local authorities (including children and adult social care workers)

·        mental health community care

·        personal assistants (LA, CCG commissioned and funded through personal health budgets)

·        domestic violence refuges

·        rough sleeping services

Tuesday 17th November 2020 

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/offstreetparkingplacesorder2020

Have your say!

Newcastle City Council are currently consulting on their car parking places order.

The most significant changes affecting disabled people are

• The removal of the concessionary free parking for blue badge holders in Council operated car parks.

• The charge for Shopmobility scheme rising from £25 to £100

We know that the majority of Disabled people in Newcastle are reliant solely on income from benefits, disability benefits have not seen a rise in payment throughout COVID.

Those who access care and support are also being asked to pay more towards the cost of their care and support.

We believe this increase in costs will add further financial pressure and we may see further isolation.

Car parking charges are staying the same so the increase in charges will only affect disabled people.

You can have your say by putting your objection in writing by 23 November 2020, quoting reference GH/P50/1101, to Newcastle Parking Services, P.O. Box 2BL, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BL,

or e-mail traffic.notices2@newcastle.gov.uk.

Any objection or representation MUST be made in writing and where an objection is made, it must state the grounds of the objection.

Alternatively, you can leave a comment on this post or email vicirichardson@disabilitynorth.org.uk and we will collate the responses and respond as an organisation.

Friday 13th November 2020 

The furlough scheme that was extended from 1 November for 4 weeks will now continue till 31 March 2021, and be reviewed in January.

The government has stated that; “As part of the revised scheme, anyone made redundant after 23 September can be rehired and put back on furlough.”

The Self Employed Income Support Scheme is increased “with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.”

Please see BBC news, the Government news story and the government page which will be updated as they provide more information on this over the coming weeks.

Thursday 5th November 2020