Covid vaccine deadline could cause a 'catastrophic' shortage in care home workers
Mandatory coronavirus vaccine rules threatens staff exodus, warns unions
Unions are warning of "catastrophic" staff shortages in care homes unless the Government scraps a deadline for workers in the sector to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
Unison said ministers should abandon the "draconian" no jab, no job policy, while the GMB warned of an "exodus" of workers.
Care workers have to get their first vaccine by September 16 and be double jabbed by November 11 or be banned from entering care homes in England.
Unison said the mandatory jab policy was partly to blame for a "severe staffing crisis", adding that many care agencies can no longer provide emergency cover.
The union warned that care homes could close, and urged the Government to concentrate on persuading hesitant workers of the benefits of having the jab rather than resorting to threats and ultimatums.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "Everyone that can have the vaccine, should have the vaccine, but the Government has persisted with a heavy-handed approach despite warnings from care employers of the dire consequences.
"This move is damaging a sector already on its knees and undermining trust in the vaccine.
"If roles can't be filled, the level and volume of care offered will be reduced.
"Instead of encouraging much-needed recruitment into care, the Government is actively driving experienced staff away."
No jab, no job
The GMB estimated that up to 70,000 care home workers in England may not be fully vaccinated by the November 11 deadline.
GMB national officer Rachel Harrison said: "Forcing vaccination of our key workers is not the way to address vaccine hesitancy.
"Care is already facing a staffing black hole of 170,000 by the end of the year.
"Even in a best-case scenario we will lose tens of thousands of key workers if the jab is forced on them.
"How will care bosses deal with these huge staffing vacancies.
"How can they reassure people residents will receive safe care?"
Local care providers give their reaction
Graeme Lee is CEO of Springfield Healthcare - a care provider across Harrogate and Ilkley.
He supports the move - but says it's been another obstacle for the sector to overcome:
"I think the country should be very proud of the work the all health and social care workers have done in incredibly challenging and difficult circumstances. And now this - the mandatory vaccination - is another worry for those in the sector.
"I think it's a good move to help protect the vulnerable and elderly in care homes and being vaccinated is vital.
"But we will need further detail around it all. There is a lot of detail that we still don't have - like who would be exempt and how they would be exempt."
Rob Martin is the boss of Anchor Hanover - a care provider across Harrogate, Wetherby and Ripon.
He's told us it could actually put pressure back on the NHS:
"In the worse case scenario's we would need to stop admissions - meaning we would focus on the good quality care of existing residents and unable to support the NHS discharge of vulnerable people that may need a care home bed."