How Consensus are responding to the UK Coronavirus outbreak
At Consensus, the health, safety and wellbeing of our supported individuals and colleagues is always our absolute priority. We have therefore taken comprehensive action to prepare for and respond to the growing coronavirus outbreak in the UK.
Whilst this page was first produced at the start of the Pandemic in March 2020, this page is constantly updated with advice from Consensus about the steps we are taking at our services in line with changing Government guidance. This information is intended for Consensus supported individuals, colleagues, and any relatives and visitors to our services only.
For comprehensive information about the coronavirus itself, please visit either the Gov.uk or NHS websites, or call NHS 24 (Scotland only).
Websites below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Visiting a Consensus Service
From 11 November new regulations come into force requiring all staff working in registered Services to be fully vaccinated unless they are exempt for identified medical reasons. And that all visitors should be vaccinated unless they are medically exempt or visiting for one of the reasons listed in this document.
Our procedures are based on the government guidance and respective documents are provided below. The regulations are part of the Health & Social Care Act 2008 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/891/regulation/5/made.
Visiting our services in England >
Visiting our services in Wales >
Our referrals process during the pandemic…
During these challenging times we have been committed to help keep the people who live in our services safe, as well as supporting people with learning disability, autism and complex needs to come and live in our services.
Learn how we are still supporting people to move into our services during the pandemic and the procedures we have put in place to keep everyone safe – both individuals moving into a new setting and the people already living there and our colleagues.
Protecting supported individuals and colleagues
Please be assured that Consensus is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and comprehensive contingency plans are in place in the event of a coronavirus outbreak at a service.
In response to the growing UK coronavirus outbreak we have created a dedicated steering group. This group comprises senior leaders from across the business who meet regularly to review and further develop our plans, reflecting the evolving situation.
The steering group has already taken action, including working to secure the medical supplies we may need in the event of an outbreak in a service, and developing the policies and protocols needed to make sure Consensus can continue to provide high-quality, person-centred support if or when coronavirus becomes more widespread in the UK.
All service managers and colleagues have been informed of the steps we are taking and how they can help prevent the spread of infection. This includes installing additional prominent signage about handwashing and completing the infection control training modules through our digital learning platform.
The Consensus Coronavirus Steering Group will continue to meet regularly and will be monitoring and reacting to the latest guidance issued by the UK Government and Devolved Administrations, the NHS, and public health bodies.
This page will be updated to reflect the latest information and advice regarding any additional steps we are taking to protect supported individuals, as and when this is required.
For anyone connected to a Consensus service who has further questions about our response to the coronavirus, please contact the service directly.
If you do not have symptoms and are looking for general information on the Novel coronavirus (Covid-19), a free NHS helpline has been set up on 0800 028 2816
The helpline is open:
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 10.00pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm