NHS staff who refuse jab ‘may be redeployed’

HOSPITALS can consider redeploying staff who have refused to get the Covid-19 vaccine, a new NHS document suggests.

It comes after the Derby Telegraph reported that 900 Derby and Burton hospital trust staff have failed to take up Covid-19 vaccines for undisclosed or non-health reasons, despite being prioritised for four months.

In the document, NHS England sets out how employers could consider moving workers who have declined the vaccine to a “less exposure-prone setting”.

The document sets out steps on how employers can ensure their staff who have declined the offer of the vaccine are safe at work, with measures including making sure they have the appropriate PPE.

The document, published on Friday and seen by the Health Service Journal (HSJ), adds: “In addition to the above, if the risk to the member of staff, their colleagues or patients is still very significant, they could be moved into a less exposure-prone setting as an option.

“These sensitive conversations may require input from local trade union representatives and HR.”

Earlier this month, the health service in England called for managers to have one-to-one conversations with staff who refuse the Covid-19 vaccine before March 12. An email seen by the HSJ called on NHS trusts to “redouble our efforts in keeping each and every one of our staff safe”.

The email from NHS England’s chief people officer Prerana Issar said: “As a result of your continued hard work we have seen an uptick in staff vaccination numbers, with nine out of (10) eligible staff now vaccinated.”

She added: “There are, however, a number of staff who have declined the first dose of the vaccine. As the evidence grows around the effectiveness of the vaccine, we must now redouble our efforts in keeping each and every one of our staff safe.”

A WEEK today, people across the country will be asked to observe a minute’s silence to remember those who have died during the Covid pandemic.

It will mark one year since the start of the first lockdown.

The National Day of Reflection on March 23, being led by the charity Marie Curie, will have two significant moments. At midday there will be a nationwide minute’s silence “so that together, we can reflect on those who have died and support the millions of people who are bereaved”.

Later, the nation will be asked to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm with candles, torches or using the light on a phone, to share a beacon of support in what has been a very tough 12 months for millions.

Prominent buildings and landmarks will be lit up.

It comes as the end-of-life charity released research showing that almost half (46%) of people in the UK have known someone who has died during the last year, and 56% of those agree they have not had the chance to grieve fully, as they would have wanted to.

Marie Curie has supported and cared for bereaved individuals and dying people, with and without coronavirus, throughout the pandemic.