Staff shortages in care homes caused by Government-imposed Covid vaccine mandates could force some homes to call on the families of their residents to volunteer to work on reception and to serve meals. The Telegraph has the story.
Providers have voiced fears that shortages caused by workers refusing to be double jabbed will amount to such a significant proportion of the workforce that the sector could collapse.
In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, one care home manager has written to the relatives of residents – many of whom are paying thousands of pounds for care – asking for help with caring duties “if the worst comes to the worst”.
Mike Padgham, Chairman of the Independent Care Group for York and North Yorkshire and owner of Saint Cecilia’s Care Services, which operates four care businesses, said the plan showed the “crisis” facing the sector, adding: “We want to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” …
The Government has previously estimated that its mandatory vaccination policy will result in about 40,000 care home staff – 7% – either quitting or being sacked, costing the embattled sector £100 million to replace.
According to the latest available data, funded by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and published by Skills for Care in October 2020, there were 112,000 vacancies in the sector.
However, industry leaders warned that after the past year, as Covid ravaged care homes, causing the deaths of more than 40,000 residents, this number is now likely to be far higher and could even have doubled.
There are approximately 865,000 care workers, 87,000 senior care workers and 36,000 registered nurses in England, according to figures published by The King’s Fund think-tank in July.
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