Three carers unvaccinated who were fired from the same residence overnight told how they felt at No10’s “unfair” no jabs, no job rule.
Theresa Ingram-Gettins, who runs the Boldmere Court Care Home in Birmingham, yesterday broke down in tears after firing six unjabbed staff, consigning them to ‘poverty’ in the run up to Christmas.
Niamh Bradley (23), one of those workers that had their contract ripped up told MailOnline that she was forced from the job she loved to take up a retail position.
‘It really breaks my heart because I love caring work and now I am working part-time in retail which is not my forte.
‘It seems a waste when I have spent years getting the skills and education to be a carer and put my heart into it.’
Shevorn Perkins (28), was also sacked by the 120-strong home team. Shevorn said that she would like to speak to her GP about the injection, but couldn’t get an appointment.
Justina Ugo (47), the third caregiver to speak up, stated that she placed her life in peril during the pandemic and now finds herself working as a cleaner part-time. This mother-of-7 has not been able to find work for several weeks just before Christmas.
As of yesterday, up to 57,000 staff at care homes were banned from work as England’s new rules took effect. This despite the sector’s desperate appeals for it to be delayed
Niamh Bradley was 23, and one of the victims. She said that her contract had been ripped up because she felt the Government should have implemented the rule, as the industry is already understaffed.
Shevorn Perkins (28), was also sacked by the 120-strong home team. Shevorn Perkins said that she would like to speak to her GP about the injection, but couldn’t get an appointment.
Around 10% of staff in care homes did not receive vaccinations against Covid. As a result, up to 57,000 people were expelled from their jobs as England implemented its ‘no Jab, No Job’ policy despite the sector’s desperate pleas for delay.
Ms Bradley, who joined Boldmere Court in June, said: ‘I think it is ridiculous to make these rules for an industry that is already under-staffed and highly stressed.
‘All the residents have had the vaccine and we are being tested every day before our shifts. PPE is also worn and I won’t be allowed to enter the home if I feel unwell.
‘We are following all these policies and procedures and yet they are still willing to let us go.
‘It makes no sense when the same rules do not apply to relatives visiting residents.
‘They may have had no vaccine but can come in after a test and they will get just as personal with the residents just as we do but they will not be in full PPE.’
Ms. Bradley claimed that she is’really stressed’ about the new policy since it was revealed in August.
She said: ‘Before this, it was a very enjoyable and friendly place to work but the rules are putting extra pressure on us all.
‘The management wanted us to get it and they are under pressure and they then pressure us.
‘My family is split on it. The pro-vaccine side has more support than the other. Just need to have more time.
‘My cousin had the vaccine and now he has problems with his heart and his liver and I have read other accounts of people suffering a variety of complications after having had it.
‘There are heart problems and thrombosis in my family so it is not an easy decision.’
Ms Perkins, who has been a carer for three years, said: ‘I really loved my job – the residents, the staff, the management – it was great to be part of a team doing a really important job.
‘This just seems so unfair when we have been through the whole pandemic without a vaccine, working in PPE and doing extra shifts because of shortages.
‘It has been really hard, especially at the start of the year when we had Covid in the home and lots of staff off sick.
‘I gave it my all and now I would just like more time to make up my mind.’
NHS staff will have to wait until next April for the rule to apply.
Ms Perkins, a mother of one, added: ‘In July we were told we had until September 16 to get our first dose of the vaccine.
‘I sat at home and cried. It was not something I felt mentally ready to do. I lost a friend who was 27 to a blood clot just after he’d had the vaccine so I am very nervous about it.
‘Everyone has different reactions to it and as I already suffer with chest problems, I just don’t feel ready.
‘I would have liked to talk it through with my GP but getting an appointment is hard.
‘In the end I will probably have the vaccine. It is just a shame that they won’t give us any more time, considering how much we gave during the pandemic. They also follow such stringent procedures to ensure residents are safe.
‘I am trying to find other work that can fit in around being a single mum and it’s very difficult.’
Justina Ugo is particularly hurt when she loses her job just before Christmas.
In 2019 she gave up working in early years education to pursue her passion – caring for elders
She is 47 years old and feels lonely without the support of a team.
According to her, she had experienced adverse reactions from childhood malaria jabs that made it difficult for her to get the vaccine.
‘I don’t want to take something that may give me long term health problems,’ she said. ‘I have had allergic reactions to injections in the past and now they are asking me to put my health into the hands of people I do not really trust.
Theresa Ingram-Gettins (pictured), who runs the Boldmere Court Care Home in Birmingham, yesterday broke down in tears after firing six unjabbed staff, consigning them to ‘poverty’ in the run up to Christmas
Six members of staff were yesterday sacked from the Boldmere Court Care Home in Birmingham (pictured). According to the 120-member staff at Boldmere Court Care Home in Birmingham, bosses said it was going to be a difficult Christmas for them and that shortages will only get worse.
‘I have had three months of torturing myself over this decision. It was so hard to figure out what I should do, because I absolutely love my job of a caregiver.
‘But having grown up in Africa and had injections for malaria I know that I get so many side-effects and have a definite allergy to chloroquine.
‘Care work needs people who are passionate about it and I have that passion. It was a risk that I took, which is why it’s so sad to have to now do part-time work as a cleaner.
‘Of course the loss of income will hurt. When you have seven children there are a lot of demands.’
According to the Home, the policy has caused the departure of their staff.
Deputy manager Blessed Maramba, said: ‘We are suffering shortages and having to use agency which is never good for the continuity of care for our residents.
‘In addition, we have had situations where we can’t let people into the home like nutritionists and physios and occupational health if they are not fully vaccinated.
‘Either the residents miss out or we lose our jobs for defying the rule.
‘It makes no sense to bully staff as they have when relatives are able to come in whether they have had a job or not.
‘We are now facing a very difficult Christmas where staff will be going on annual leave and the shortages will get worse.
‘My daughter is 17. Although she had always wanted to become a physician, seeing how medical staff treat her has made her reconsider. It is a very sad situation.’