The NHS has published guidance on the legal requirement for all front line healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This follows the Government’s legislation late last year extending the requirement from care workers to all those involved in healthcare provision, including the NHS.
The guidance (which can be found here) confirms that the obligation to be vaccinated applies to all healthcare settings include hospitals, GP practices, dentists and community services where care is delivered in a person’s home. As well as those you would typically consider frontline healthcare workers the requirement also extends to non-clinical workers such as receptionists, ward clerks, porters and cleaners who must also be vaccinated where they have direct contact with patients. As well as employees and workers, volunteers, agency workers and self-employed contractors must also be vaccinated where they have face to face contact with patients.
For existing staff, the last day for first vaccination is 3 February 2022. New joiners after 1 April 2022 must provide evidence of first dose of vaccination at least 21 days before starting work, and then evidence of full vaccination within ten weeks of first vaccination.
There had been hopes that with the lifting of Plan B restrictions the Government would withdraw the mandatory requirement for vaccinations. Although there are limited exemptions for medical reasons it is estimated that as many as 80,000 NHS workers could find themselves out of work as a result of not being vaccinated.
If you are affected by these rules and would like advice please contact our Employment Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.