Decision details

As part of the response to Covid-19, the Government produced guidance on shielding and protecting people defined in medical grounds as extremely vulnerable, which involved GPs identifying individuals that should receive additional support.

This has evolved and the Government has identified all over 70s as having an increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) regardless of whether they have underlying health conditions or not.

In addition, through the GMCA, a ‘keeping well at home’ booklet has been produced for older people, in consultation with the Ageing Hub. The GMCA are contributing towards the first 1500 printed copies of this booklet and Local Authorities can then order additional copies.

It is intended to order 11,900 additional copies, at a cost of £4315.49 and for these to be distributed at various places including supermarkets, GP surgeries, and pharmacies. On request, hard copies will also be posted out.

It is intended to write to residents over 70 outlining the support that is available and to signpost them to the community hubs should they need support with food deliveries, medicine collections, or wanting to have a chat with someone. The total cost for print and postage of the letters is circa £9300. The intention is to use our current supplier Critiqom; the company we use to issue council tax information. Procurement has confirmed that this approach is acceptable to them and the current contract can be used for this purpose.

The government has provided grant funding to support local authorities and CCGs with the additional cost of the COVID crisis. These costs will be met from the grant funding available.