Nearly 400 less care home staff in Wiltshire since mandatory vaccine rule
96% of staff are double jabbed
New figures suggest that there are nearly 400 less care home workers in Wiltshire, since the mandatory Covid vaccine rule was enforced.
As of January 2nd, NHS England data shows 5,047 people were working in older adult care homes in Wiltshire.
That's 395 less than on July 18th 2021, days before a 16-week “grace period” for care workers to get their first jab started.
Across England, the number of staff in older adult care homes dropped by 17,000 over the same period.
It is unclear how many workers left as a result of the mandatory vaccine policy.
The Government announced it is relaxing immigration rules to make up for “severe and increasing difficulties” with recruitment and retention in the care sector.
Sam Monaghan, chief executive of MHA, the UK’s largest charitable care provider, said:
“Essential care and support for older people is facing a staffing crisis the likes of which we have never seen before.
“The changes to immigration rules are a very welcome step forward in addressing the ongoing care staffing crisis.
“However, it will be some months before older people feel the benefit of these much-needed changes."
The NHS data shows 4,847 care home workers in Wiltshire had received two Covid jabs by January 2nd – 96% of staff employed on that date.
Across England, 95% of older adult care home workers have received two jabs.
The Department for Health and Social Care said new starters can be deployed to work care homes 21 days after receiving one dose of the vaccine and are required to get a second jab within 10 weeks.