a) Universities
b) Care homes
Minutes:
Nigel Wright, Nottingham Trent University, and Jason Carter, University of Nottingham, gave an update on development on the Incident Management Plan for Higher Education. They highlighted the following information:
a) The universities worked to establish procedures and ensure a Covid-safe environment prior to the return of the majority of students in September.
b) The universities have worked with the Council’s Public Health Team to develop the Incident Management Plan.
c) Each university has its own internal systems for monitoring the latest situation and gathering intelligence to enable it to response quickly and enforce isolation protocols.
d) Communications have been taking place with students and staff prior to the return of students in September so that they knew what to expect.
e) Some staff were apprehensive about the return of students but have generally been pleased with the measures in place.
f) The Police reports of fewer incidents related to students is positive. There have been some incidents of inappropriate behaviour across both universities. Where there is evidence, disciplinary action is taken. The reoffending rate is approx. 5% so the approach seems to be working.
g) The number of students reporting that they are self-isolating is as expected.
h) The universities are trying to enhance testing arrangements with testing on campus. Local Testing Sites are being located on university campuses that will be accessible by both students and local citizens. Within the next couple of weeks asymptomatic testing should be in place.
During subsequent discussion the following points were raised:
i) At Nottingham Trent University, students are asked to fill in an online form if they need to self-isolate to identify their support needs, including any issues related to mental health. The University keeps in touch with students to see if their needs change.
j) Universities have arrangements in place to deliver blended learning and have the capabilities to deliver more online learning quickly if necessary. There is planning in place for anything between 0 and 100% online learning. Ideally there will be some face to face learning as this is generally better for students.
k) Whenever students start university, information, including health information, about them is collected to identify any specific needs. This will be even more important this year.
Actions
(1) Board members to review the Incident Management Plan for Higher Education and confirm approval to Marie Cann-Livingstone by email
(all Board members)
Fiona Branton, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave an update on the development of the Incident Management Plan for Care Homes. She highlighted the following information:
l) The aim of the Plan is to ensure timely identification, and effective management of outbreaks.
m) The Infection Prevention and Control Team has been supporting care homes on infection control issues for many years and effective arrangements are already in place. The Team is used to managing outbreaks in care home settings.
n) There has been further learning on issues specific to the Covid-19 pandemic, including symptoms that are particularly indicative of potential Covid-19 in older citizens. Based on this learning, training is being provided to care home staff, there is weekly monitoring of staff and monthly monitoring of residents.
o) If a positive case is identified, the Team works to deal with the situation quickly. There is a multi-agency response to any outbreaks.
p) There is daily reporting to the Outbreak Cell. A trigger for the Incident Management Plan is cumulative outbreaks that exceed normal expectations and are beyond the scope of the Infection Prevention and Control Team to deal with.
q) The Incident Management Plan will cover a range of settings that aren’t routinely included in infection prevention and control work, including supported living accommodation, extra care homes, home care services and shared lives schemes. Additional funding has been received to support this. Children’s residential care homes are dealt with separately and not included.
r) There are currently two outbreaks in the City. Exposures to infection have been monitored for 28 days and regular testing is taking place.
s) The Plan is not yet ready for sign-off and will be circulated shortly.