Double-jab rule risks care collapse, says UNISON

Care homes face closure if the government persists with draconian plans to sack care staff who aren’t doubled-vaccinated by midnight tomorrow (Wednesday), warns UNISON. The union says the ‘no jab, no job’ policy risks the collapse of care companies, and needless upset for thousands of elderly residents and their families. Care staff will be banned from entering care homes in England unless they are double jabbed by 11 November. Today (Tuesday), health and social care secretary Sajid Javid announced the double-jab rule will be extended and apply to all domiciliary care workers from 1 April. However, the care sector is already facing a staffing catastrophe. UNISON believes mandatory vaccination should be scrapped or the deadline for care home staff put back to next April. The government itself predicts the loss of up to 70,000 care home workers because of its policy. This is in addition to existing vacancies in care which currently stand at more than 105,000. UNISON fears some care homes could be forced to shut their doors and others will struggle to meet safe staffing levels to provide satisfactory care. The union believes that everyone that can have the vaccine, should have the vaccine. However, the government’s heavy-handed rules have driven much-needed staff away and now tens of thousands face the sack. Resources should instead be used to persuade hesitant workers of the benefits of taking the jab, says UNISON. The union says the government could also consi...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release adult social care Covid vaccine Source Type: news