Care Homes: 'I'm infuriated, my staff are upset and they're having to leave.'
From the 11th November anyone who works in a care home MUST be double jabbed
From 11th November 2021, anyone working in a care home must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
Last year, we saw nursing homes face some of the biggest challenges and devastation at the start of the pandemic, when the virus killed thousands in homes.
It didn't get easier for staff, residents or loved ones when visits were banned and at it's worse, some people only saw their family through a window, and some never saw or touched their loved ones again.
Care home managers tell us they can still see the impact the ban had on individuals mental health.
Now, with more testing, visitors are allowed.
Kelly Hopkinson is the manager of Charlton Court nursing home in Pudsey:
"We're losing really, really good staff and then they're asking us to help the NHS, can you take on these winter beds, but you're asking us to take people from an environment, where people don't have to be vaccinated, to an environment where people are, nothing makes sense, nothing.
"I'm infuriated, my staff are upset, they've worked here for years and they're having to leave. I'm not making them leave, they keep asking me when they've got to go, look on the government website, because it's not me telling you to leave."
Last year care homes faced a battle with PPE supplies.
Boris Johnson is set to announce his plan to get the country through COVID through the winter month at news conference today (14th September).
Kelly told us she's worried:
"The PPE is always going to be a worry, I am worried about staff shortages and I am worried about residents mental health."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“The vast majority of care staff are already vaccinated and we are focusing on encouraging even more staff to get jabbed to protect their colleagues and those they care for.
“Through public consultation we have listened to the experiences and concerns of providers and people living and working in care homes to shape our approach.
“Our message is clear: vaccines save lives and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to reduce the risk for vulnerable people in care homes.”