BACCH service resumption resources
Resources for resuming CCH services during COVID-19
Sections on this page:
- Resuming services
- Appraisal re-starting with reduced evidence requirements
- Shielding patients
- Information for schools
- Health information on return to school
- How to manage demand & capacity
- Innovative service examples
- JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17
(This page was first created on 15.05.20 and was last amended on 26.07.21. Please note it is no longer being regularly updated.)
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)
An amendment was issued on 31 July 2020 on SEND requirements
EHCP flexibilities ended and CYP should receive all the support they need on return to school
The third phase response urges services to return to full capacity as soon as possible to make full use of the ‘window of opportunity’ before winter. This includes catch up immunisation campaigns in general practice and retaining the 24/7 ‘crisis helplines’ developed in mental health services:
Third phase of NHS response to COVID-19
Further guidance on restoring services including advice on inequalities and on patient-led follow up was issued on 7th August 2020:
Implementing phase 3 of the NHS response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Operating framework for service resumption in hospital settings (some apply to community settings too)
RCPCH updated guidance for community settings
RCPCH advice on resuming safeguarding & LAC services E, W & NI (updated 07.07.20)
RCPCH advice on Child protection & LAC processes in Scotland
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
Appraisal resumption
Appraisals will re-start from 1st October. There are reduced evidence requirements for 2020:
Letter from NHS England 'COVID-19 and professional standards activities'
Shielding patients
New guidance (issued 06.07.20), indicates that most children and young people will no longer need to shield even in a future resurgence:
Government press release: majority of children no longer need to shield
The shielding letter (issued 22.06.20) 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
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
Guidance on maintaining ongoing clinical care for the small number of patients who need to continue shielding 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
Parents have been advised to contact their GP or specialist to discuss shielding requirements
Information for schools
Advice for schools and colleges on NHS Test and Trace and on accepting shielded CYP back to school:
Letter from PHE and NHS Test and Trace to school and college leaders
Joint CMOs’ statement on return to school 23 Aug 2020
Advice for parents on when to order a COVID test
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
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
Health information on return to school
PHE research project into school prevalence
(Initial results now available)
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
How to manage demand & capacity
Guidance available:
England
Established national pathways:
Planned temporary increase in Educational Psychology:DfE guidance on educational psychologists providing temporary support for COVID-19 recovery
New Every Mind Matters campaign and resources:
EMM Launch details
Every Mind Matters website
Innovative service examples
RCPCH examples specific to COVID-19
Covering All Bases Directory of Innovative Practice Models
JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 17
Statement published on 19 July 2021
JCVI advises that children and young people aged 12 years and over with specific underlying health conditions that put them at risk of serious COVID-19, should be offered COVID-19 vaccination.
