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<p>To provide further support for domiciliary providers, we have extended the Infection
Control and Testing Fund by a further £388.3 million until 31 March 2022. Domiciliary
care providers are able to access this funding to put in place effective infection
prevention and control measures, including supporting testing and increasing vaccine
uptake.</p><p>We have made available two rounds of the Workforce Recruitment and Retention
fund, totalling £462.5 million to support local authorities and care providers recruit
and retain care staff. Home care workers will be eligible for the Health and Care
Worker visa for a 12-month period and added to the shortage occupation list, making
it quicker, cheaper and easier to recruit eligible workers from overseas to fill vital
gaps.</p><p>The Government has committed to providing free Personal Protective Equipment
for their COVID-19 needs until the end of March 2023. To support staff, a bespoke
testing supply channel has been set up to enable asymptomatic home carers to access
weekly polymerase chain reaction tests to administer at home. Domiciliary care workers
have been prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccine and we have made free flu vaccines
available to eligible staff.</p><p>We are continuously reviewing our guidance to ensure
that staff working in domiciliary care are receiving up to date advice to keep them
as safe as possible during this time.</p>
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