8,500 care home jobs in jeopardy over Covid jabs
UP to 8,500 Derbyshire care home staff could lose their jobs from this week after failing to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in time.
Government rules dictate that from tomorrow, all care home workers and anyone entering a care home must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, unless they are exempt, in a bid to protect vulnerable residents from the virus.
The latest NHS data, up to October 31, which is the last set of information which will be available before November 11, shows 8,526 staff affiliated with care homes around Derbyshire have not had their second jabs and could lose their jobs.
A portion of this group could get their second jabs before the deadline to avoid the risk of losing their job, providing there has been a sufficient gap since they had their first vaccine.
Meanwhile, a total of 4,096 staff linked to Derbyshire care homes have not had a Covid vaccine at all and will not be able to meet next week’s deadline to be fully vaccinated.
This means that between 4,096 (14.1 per cent) and 8,526 (29.4 per cent) staff linked to Derbyshire care homes could lose their jobs as a result of the mandatory vaccination policy.
Care home staff will have been eligible for Covid vaccines for nearly a year, having been a top priority at the start of the roll-out last December.
The same mandatory vaccination policy is set to be rolled out to NHS staff in England from April, the Guardian reports, with a formal announcement said to be imminent.
NHS staff have also been eligible for vaccinations since December last year.
In late June, the Local Democracy Reporting Service found that more than 1,000 healthcare staff in Derbyshire and Burton had not had a Covid vaccine.
Current Government rules for care homes include staff, agency workers, volunteers, tradespeople and local authority employees but does not include relatives or friends of residents.
Across Derbyshire, 83.3 per cent of all adults are now fully vaccinated, 12.7 per cent higher than the proportion fully vaccinated in the county and city’s care home staff population.
Maggie Throup, Erewash MP and vaccines minister, and the Department of Health and Social Care were approached for comment but have not responded by the time of publication.
Trade union Unison previously warned of staff shortages unless the mandatory jab policy was dropped.
Unison general secretary Christina Mcanea previously said: “Everyone that can have the vaccine, should have the vaccine. But the Government has persisted with a heavyhanded approach despite warnings from care employers of the dire consequences.
“This move is damaging a sector already on its knees and undermining trust in the vaccine. If roles can’t be filled, the level and volume of care offered will be reduced. Vaccinehesitant staff must be offered reassurance and persuasion, not threats and ultimatums.
“Instead of encouraging muchneeded recruitment into care, the Government is actively driving experienced staff away. It’s not too late for ministers to admit the error of their ways and bring care back from the precipice.”
Regarding staff potentially being fired or redeployed as a result of not getting fully vaccinated, the Government guidance says: “If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination or exemption, then your manager should explore all options available to you. This could include moving you to an alternative role for which vaccination is not required.
“You should speak to your manager about your options as soon as you can. You should not assume that it will be possible for you to be redeployed.
“You should note that the regulations may provide a fair reason for dismissal if you are not vaccinated or medically exempt.” It says care homes should have plans in place for safe staffing throughout shortfalls due to illness or vacancies and that local authorities may be able to offer or direct homes to further assistance. If homes are unable to provide safe staffing levels, they must notify the health watchdog the Care and Quality Commission (CQC).
The guidance also says unvaccinated staff “may begin working in another role and no longer work with you”. It says: “As medical exemptions apply, not all staff members will have received a vaccine as some may have a health-related reason not to.
“If you are worried about this, you can speak to a staff member or the manager of your care home.”
It says staff could be offered paid or unpaid leave if they demonstrate that they intend to get fully vaccinated but did not meet the November 11 deadline.
The guidance says: “This cannot be a long-term solution, because the regulations do not have a time limit.”
It says: “Some care homes - having exhausted alternative options - may have to consider dismissing employees or terminating contracts of workers.
“This should only apply to those over 18 who are not vaccinated and have not obtained a medical exemption.
“Where this is the case, care homes must comply, at all times, with employment and equalities law and adhere to good employment practice.”
It says staff would not be eligible for redundancy payouts.
The Government previously said: “Throughout the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, care home workers have done a phenomenal job to support and protect those most at risk from Covid-19.
“People across the sector have risen to this unprecedented challenge and gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep those they care for safe.
“We value the incredible work that people in care homes have done over the last 18 months to care for some of the people who are most at risk from Covid-19.
“We want to ensure that care homes are as safe as possible for the staff working in them and the people they care for. We believe that the best way to do this is to ensure that everyone who can take up the offer of vaccination, does.
“Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus both for staff and care home residents.”
In its guidance on the regulations, the Government said despite protection from testing and personal protective equipment (PPE), and the best efforts of committed staff, there have been outbreaks across the country, and nearly 14,000 care home residents have died of Covid-19 since the beginning of this year.
Instead of encouraging recruitment the Government is driving experienced staff away.
Christine Mcanea, Unison