According to bosses, thousands of healthcare assistants and nurses who work in hospitals are likely to overwhelm the NHS as there is a ban against unjabbed workers in social services.
Up to 60,000 care home workers across England – about ten per cent of the sector’s workforce – have still not been double-vaccinated against Covid, according to official figures.
They will have to quit their job on Thursday as a new law bans unvaccinated and partially vaccinated workers in care homes.
This hardline action is part of the government’s effort to protect elderly citizens, who may still get severe Covid disease despite having been double-vaccinated.
Ministers say the law must be passed and remind staff at care homes that they were warned months in advance.
But care home bosses say the move will lead to staff simply swapping one workplace where they care for the vulnerable elderly – care homes; for another – hospitals.
Up to 60,000 care home workers across England – about ten per cent of the sector’s workforce – have still not been double-vaccinated against Covid, according to official figures (stock image)
The Government agreed to postpone the imposition the same “no jabs no job” rule for NHS workers until spring. Care bosses are also warning the new law risks snarling up hospitals with ‘bed blockers’ – patients well enough to be discharged but not strong enough to live on their own – as staffing shortages will force them to close homes to new residents. Last night, Dr Charles Armitage, director of the National Care Force, which helps social care providers fill staff gaps with health workers and volunteers, said: ‘Unvaccinated staff are going to leave and work in retail and hospitality, or go to the NHS because they don’t need to have vaccinations to work there – which is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
“Then suddenly you get this infusion of unvaccinated workers to the NHS, and that just shifts the problem.”
Agencies are already turning up at care homes offering staff on £9 to £11 an hour £17 to work in the NHS, said Wade Newmark of The Dales Nursing Home in Exeter.
Mike Padgham (pictured), of Independent Care Group said that a significant number of healthcare workers and care home nurses were moving to the NHS. He added that he found it a strange policy to have two deadlines.
Mike Padgham of Independent Care Group stated that a large number of healthcare workers and care home nurses were moving to the NHS. He said, “It’s an odd policy with two different deadlines.”
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary to Social Care Organizations asked for a delay in the ban. Mr Padgham said that no one could criticize Ministers who change their mind.
It is highly unlikely that this will happen. Ministers are haunted by the spectre of last year, when tens of thousands of care home residents died after being infected with Covid – sometimes by patients discharged from hospitals, sometimes by staff.
As the percentage of double-jabbed employees has increased in recent months, so has the deadline threat.
Gillian Keegan, Care Minister (pictured), stated that ‘whether because of their age or underlying medical conditions, our loved one in care homes is at the greatest risk from the worst effects Covid-19. The devastating effect the virus had on this group has been well documented.
Chika Ruben is a London-based GMB union representative and care worker. She said that many people decided to get immunized after the Government made it mandatory. This changed people’s minds. Your job is important.
Gillian Keegan from Care Minister stated that loved ones who live in residential care homes are most at risk for the devastating effects of Covid-19, irrespective of whether they have underlying medical conditions or age. This is not the first time we have witnessed the devastation caused by the virus on such groups.
Many care home managers fear that the policy could cause even more problems than it solves.
MHA’s chief executive Sam Monaghan stated that MHA has closed an average 7.5% of its care homes to any new admissions in the last week due to a staffing crisis.
“The compulsory vaccination of people who work in care homes will result in us losing our ability to get vaccinated.” [more]People from this sector.