Revoking vaccination as a condition of deployment, subject to consultation
“It is such a shame (and the recent NHS U-turn is an insult to many) the Government did not see fit to respond similarly to the social care sector pressures and not mandate vaccinations to social care staff in November last year. Many lost their jobs – easily as many as might have left the NHS if they too had been mandated ---- in my view yet another statement from Government about the social care sector being less important than the NHS. I hope that some staff who had to leave their social care jobs will at least consider returning and that employers will be able to find ways to support that”.
David Smallacobe, CEO, Care and Support West
Earlier this evening, the Government announced that the regulations making vaccination a condition of deployment (VCOD) for health and social care staff are set to be revoked, subject to public consultation and parliamentary approval. This will apply to care homes as well as wider care settings.
The SofS’ statement to Parliament on this is can be found here: Oral statement on vaccines as a condition of deployment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The SofS was clear that getting vaccinated, and getting the booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19 and that everyone working in health and social care should take up their vaccine and booster to protect themselves.
Further updates will be provided as soon as possible to guide the sector going forward in relation to VCOD but we wanted to make you aware of this announcement at the earliest opportunity.
Please find below a letter from Claire Armstrong, Director of Adult Social Care Delivery at the Department of Health and Social Care, detailing the upcoming changes to care home visiting and staff testing. Please note that the staff testing changes apply to all adult social care settings, not just care homes.