Ensuring people have access to the care and support they need

In the latest edition of our COVID-19 Insight report we take a look at the regional data we have on designated settings – these are care homes and other places where people with a COVID-positive test result can be discharged safely from hospital.

Now that the designation scheme is up and running, we can look at the numbers of approved settings across regions. Our findings show that so far there is wide variation in the number of designated beds when compared with the number of older people in each region and the ongoing rates of infection. This picture continues to evolve as the underlying data changes and it is helping to inform vital conversations about infection control across localities.

We have analysed the latest data from our register of care homes. This shows that the total number of registered care home beds is still relatively unchanged, but there are some more marked changes at local level, particularly when nursing homes are distinguished from residential homes.

Also in this report, we bring the latest information from our provider collaboration reviews programme. The reviews shine a light on how providers and their local systems are responding to challenges during the pandemic.

In the second set of reviews, we have focused on urgent and emergency care (UEC). The reviews offer insight on the way UEC services has worked together tackle COVID-19, and what learning they have for winter planning. We share some of the emerging themes and examples of good practice ahead of our full report in January.

We also continue to share data on the deaths of people with a learning disability, people subject to the Mental Health Act, and people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.