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Government Measures for Christmas

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As 2020 draws to a close, we recognise it has been an incredibly difficult year for us all. We have all had to make significant sacrifices in our everyday lives, and many religious and community groups have already had to change or forgo their customary celebrations to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

This cannot be a ‘normal’ Christmas. But as we approach the festive period, we have been working closely together to find a way for family and friends to see each other, even if it is for a short time, and recognising that it must be both limited and cautious.

Even where it is within the rules, meeting with friends and family over Christmas will be a personal judgement for individuals to take, mindful of the risks to themselves and others, particularly those who are vulnerable. We need everyone to think carefully about what they do during this period, balancing some increased social contact with the need to keep the risk of increased transmission of the virus as low as possible.

This is particularly important when considering those who are vulnerable, and before deciding to come together over the festive period we urge the consideration of alternative approaches such as the use of technology or meeting outside.

The Government has therefore agreed that:

  • Travel restrictions across the four administrations and between tiers will be lifted to provide a window for households to come together between the 23rd and 27th of December.
  • Up to three households can form an exclusive ‘bubble’ to meet at home during this period. When a bubble is formed it is fixed, and must not be changed or extended further at any point.
  • Each Christmas bubble can meet at home, at a place of worship or an outdoor public place, but existing, more restrictive rules on hospitality and meeting in other venues will be maintained throughout this period.

The winter holiday period is a time often spent with family and friends, with schools and offices closing and people travelling over the bank holidays. Many have already begun making their plans, and we are today providing clarity to help people make the right choices for them, and enjoy time with those closest to them while staying within the rules to protect us all.

The current national restriction rules are still in place until 2 December and must be followed until they expire.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

University Centre Croydon and University of Roehampton partner to offer new BSc in Adult Nursing

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University Centre Croydon and the University of Roehampton have announced their partnership to deliver a new BSc in Adult Nursing course for 2021, with applications now open.

With demand for nurses in the NHS increasing and University Centre Croydon, part of Croydon College, receiving a record number of applications for their Health and Social Care courses this year, both institutions have joined forces to offer this new degree course, developed and taught by the University of Roehampton at the College’s university site in Croydon*.

The BSc in Adult Nursing degree** will allow students to learn in a brand new £1 million new dedicated nursing suite – the Clinical Simulation Centre – which replicates realistic community and in-hospital settings. Here students will safely practice clinical skills with other students, service users, role players and hi-tech patient simulators under the guidance of experienced clinical and academic staff from the University of Roehampton. As part of the degree programme, students will take part in placements at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and other local health providers.

As part of the partnership, which comes into full effect in September next year, with applications open now, students will also be able to study University of Roehampton validated degrees at Croydon College’s university centre, including Business and Management, Criminology, Psychology and Social Justice, Early Childhood Studies, Public Health and Social Care.

In recognition of the need for a safe, local place to learn during the current Covid-19 pandemic, a new University of Roehampton Study Centre has also been opened at Croydon College, enabling Croydon College graduates who are enrolled in degrees in the main University of Roehampton campus in south-west London the chance to have the option to study remotely in an educational setting close to home.

Caireen Mitchell, CEO and Principal, Croydon College, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with University of Roehampton, which is one of the top ten universities in London. We have a long-established relationship with them with many of our students moving to the university following their studies at Croydon College, so to now work in partnership with them is a great addition to our offer. Health and Social Care is a very important subject area for us and with a 25% increase on enrolments from last year we are very pleased to be able to expand our subjects to now include BSc in Adult Nursing, enabling our students to take the next steps in their career.”

Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Vice-Chancellor, University of Roehampton said: “Our strategic partnership with Croydon College will allow us to harness our respective strengths to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. The University of Roehampton has a thriving Adult Nursing programme, with a strong emphasis on community and primary care nursing, providing a wide range of career options for our graduates. We are excited to work in partnership with Croydon College and healthcare providers, including Croydon University Hospital, to offer this innovative programme to a wider audience.”

For further information please visit www.croydon.ac.uk

* Campus located at Croydon College (address: College Rd, London, CR9 1DX)

** Pending accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council

 

Croydon Council Issues Section 114 Notice

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Croydon Council has today issued a section 114 notice due to the severe ongoing financial challenges facing the authority.

This significant step will mean all new non-essential spending will be stopped while an emergency budget is drawn up to find further savings in this and the coming years.

In a letter to councillors, finance director Lisa Taylor outlined the serious issues facing the council including a potential budget shortfall in the current financial year of around £66m.

Issuing the notice is recognition that despite all efforts to do so the council cannot now balance its budget this year, which it is required to do by law.

The council had previously acknowledged its worsening financial situation, and has set in train a number of improvement and savings programmes to help put it back on a stable financial footing.

It is also in talks with the government about the financial support necessary to balance the budget and transform the council.

What does the S114 notice mean for council services?

It means that no new expenditure is permitted, with the exception of that funding statutory services, including safeguarding vulnerable people, although existing commitments and contracts will continue to be honoured.

Council officers must therefore carry out their duties in line with contractual obligations and to acceptable standards, while being aware of the financial situation. Any spending that is not essential or which can be postponed should not take place and essential spend will be monitored.

The only allowable expenditure permitted under an emergency protocol would include the following categories:

  • existing staff payroll and pension costs
  • expenditure on goods and services which have already been received
  • expenditure required to deliver the council’s provision of statutory services at a minimum possible level
  • urgent expenditure required to safeguard vulnerable citizens
  • expenditure required through existing legal agreements and contracts
  • expenditure funded through ring-fenced grants
  • expenditure necessary to achieve value for money or mitigate additional in-year costs

The council will have 21 days from the issue of a Section 114 notice to discuss the implications at a meeting of full council.