Health Protection Guidance for Social Care
Guidance for Care Home Staff and Managers
Welsh Government - Welsh Health Circular September 2024 - Due for review September 2025
Management of acute respiratory infection outbreaks in care homes guidance - Updated 24 July 2024
Welsh Government - Infection, prevention & control in social care - Updated May 2024
PHW guidance for health and social care settings - Updated August 2025
Welsh Government - Respiratory Infections Guidance - Updated May 2024
- Social care guide to controlling acute respiratory infections [HTML] | GOV.WALES
- Guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 | GOV.WALES
Testing Advice - Updated January 2025
The current guidance regarding the testing of respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, is that staff should no longer conduct regular asymptomatic testing.
From 1 April 2023, routine symptomatic testing of health and social care staff and resident is no longer required or advised.
Testing remains clinically led and will only be required if either the symptomatic staff member or resident is considered at high risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 and is eligible for Covid-19 antibody and/or antiviral treatment. This high risk group has been extended to include all people aged 70 and over who live in a care home.
Links to current testing guidance are included below:
PCR Multiplex Testing is available through Powys Teaching Health Board Health Protection Team for care homes that have 2 or more residents with symptoms of a respiratory infection.
Covid-19 Treatments - Updated May 2025
- COVID-19 treatments | GOV.WALES
- Changes to prescribing antiviral and antibody treatments for COVID-19 (WHC/2025/010) [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Greenbook - Updated September 2025
Guidance for Health & Social Care Staff and Unpaid Carers
- Social Care Guide to Controlling Acute Respiratory Infections - Updated 30 May 2024
Practical guidance for staff delivering care, including infection prevention & control, PPE, isolation, and visiting practices.
Social care guide to controlling acute respiratory infections | GOV.WALES - Public Health Wales - Infection Prevention & Control Workbook for Domiciliary Care Staff
Modules on hygiene, PPE, waste disposal, sharps, MDROs, respiratory illnesses, catheter care. Designed for frontline domiciliary care staff.
IP&C Workbooks - Public Health Wales - Public Health Wales -COVID-19 and Respiratory Infections Resources
Practical guidance on outbreak management, isolation, and vaccination in community and social care settings in Wales.
Resources for Healthcare Professionals - Public Health Wales
Guidance for Unpaid Carers
- Strategy for Unpaid Carers: Delivery Plan 2025-26
Priorities for recognition, advice, support, and well-being. Helps carers understand available support and rights.
Strategy for unpaid carers: delivery plan 2025 to 2026 - NHS - Support and Benefits for Carers
Explains support, services, and benefits, including assessments, financial help, and practical guidance.
Support and benefits for carers - Social care and support guide - NHS - Public Health Wales - Carers and Screening
Explains how carers can support someone to take part in NHS screening and why self-care is important.
Carers - Public Health Wales - Funding Announcement: £5.25 Million for Unpaid Carers (2025-26)
Information on funding for services and support for unpaid carers.
£5.25 million Welsh Government funding to benefit unpaid carers | GOV.WALES
