The chief executive of NHS Providers has said that he expects an announcement on mandatory vaccines for NHS England staff today.
Speaking with BBC Radio 5 Live programme this morning, Chris Hopson told said “I wouldn’t be a surprise if that was introduced in the NHS,” in reference to the decision to mandate that care workers produce vaccine certification or evidence of medical exemption to continue working.
He said a longer deadline would allow NHS facilities to persuade staff that “it is in their interests and their patients’ interests to get vaccinated”, adding: “But I suspect that come the deadline, whenever it is set, there will still be some staff who are adamant that they don’t want to get vaccinated and that is a very significant risk for the NHS.”
The government has so far not responded to his comments.
However justice secretary and deputy prime minister Dominic Raab appeared to tacitly accept the forthcoming announcement, saying mandatory jabs for NHS workers was “difficult decision” in an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme this morning.
From November 11 any staff or visiting professionals entering a care home will need to provide evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination or exemption status.
Last month Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised health secretary Sajid Javid’s comments that he waas “leaning towards” making Covid vaccinations compulsory for NHS staff.
Sir Keir told ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme earlier today that: “First thing I’d say is I want all NHS staff to be double vaccinated. I think forcing them is a mistake. It is better to encourage and cajole.
Yesterday disgraced former health secretary Matt Hancock called for the immediate introduction of mandatory vaccines for NHS staff, in a comment piece for The Telegraph.
