BACCH service resumption resources

Sections on this page:

Resuming services
Shielding patients
Information for schools
Health information on return to school
How to manage demand & capacity
Innovative service examples

(This page was first created on 15.05.20 and will be updated as information becomes available; last updated: 03.07.20.)

Resuming services

The NHSE issued a letter on 3 June 2020 indicating full service restoration of community paediatric services can begin (linked below). Where possible and appropriate, remote consultations are preferred but patients or professionals may decide a face-to-face appointment is preferable in the specific circumstances of the case.

Note also that adoption medical advice and LAC health assessments should no longer be risk stratified and assessments should be completed. Audiology services are still in the ‘partial restoration’ group.

Second phase of NHS response to COVID-19 (PDF)

Operating framework for service resumption in hospital settings (some apply to community settings too)

RCPCH updated guidance for community settings

Support for healthcare workers from volunteer service:
NHS volunteers extend support to frontline health and social care staff

GPs encouraged to use electronic repeat dispensing (where e-prescriptions are written to last up to 12 months without requesting a repeat). Note this does not apply to controlled drugs:
NHS letter to GPs, community pharmacists & commissioners

More information on electronic dispensing:
Benefits of using electronic repeat dispensing (eRD)

Standard Operating Procedure for palliative care in community settings

Guidance on continuing immunisation programmes

Shielding patients

New guidance on maintaining ongoing clinical care for shieling patients is now available. This includes an expectation of a care coordinator/single point of access for such patients. This may be a paediatrician.

NHS support for patients who are shielding (PDF)

The latest shielding letter confirms that the RCPCH guidance on shielding below should be followed, It also advises shielding will be paused on 1st August 2020 and that all children, even in shielding groups, can return to school:
NHS Shielding update 22.06.2020

The RCPCH has issued revised guidance on which CYP should be shielded. This significantly reduces the number who need to shield:
RCPCH 'shielding' guidance - revisions & updates

Information for schools

Schools’ advice available (note this only applies to England as schools in the other nations are not re-opening). These include advice on CYP shielding, or who live with someone who is shielding:

Government scientific overview on school re-opening

Commons summary on schools and COVID

Several other documents are available to guide schools on re-opening but do not identify any role for health services:

Guidance for full opening in September (including specific guidance for special schools & transport)

Actions for education & childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020

SEND risk assessment

Early Years guide

Advice for Early Years Settings

Primary school guide

Secondary school guide

COVID-19: implementing protective measures in education & childcare settings

Safe working guidance for schools and social care available

Advice for young people

Health information on return to school

PHE research project into school prevalence

COVID-19 - message from the |RCPCH President, 22 May

Pre-print version of paper referred to in link above (Susceptibility to & transmission of COVID-19 amongst children & adolescents compared with adults: a systematic review & meta-analysis)

BMJ letter on COVID risk vs all-cause mortality in childhood

RCPCH statement on schools re-opening, 22nd May

BMA updated Statement on schools reopening, 20 May

Other science summaries:

School closure & management practices during coronavirus outbreaks including COVID-19

COVID-19 - research evidence summaries - transmission

What is the evidence for transmission of COVID-19 by children [or in schools]?

Evidence summary of potential for children to contribute to transmission of SARS-CoV-2

ONS data shows no difference in infection rates for 2-19 vs other age groups