Issue 98 09.03.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Learn lessons from ‘no jab, no job’ fiasco THE Government should learn lessons from the newlyaxed ‘no jab, no job’ policy and listen to care providers, a campaigner has said. The Government has finally confirmed it is no longer compulsory for NHS and social care staff to have Covid-19 jabs to work in care settings. The policy was introduced in care and nursing homes last November and was due to come into effect in NHS and other care settings in April. It has been axed following Government consultation. The Independent Care Group has welcomed the confirmation but says if the Government had listened to the care sector it would never have introduced the policy. Chair Mike Padgham said: “Mandatory vaccination was very damaging for care and nursing homes. “We warned before it was introduced last November that many good, kind, caring and professional staff would be lost to the policy and that proved to be the case. Most of those we will never get back. “The policy exacerbated staff shortages in care and nursing homes, already dire because of the pandemic and the impact of Brexit. “We are pleased that the
policy has now been reversed – it should never have been introduced in the first place. “Vaccination is a good thing and the right thing for the care sector, but it should be a personal choice. “Because of the policy, many good people were lost to social care and will have found other jobs. We will not get them back again.” He said the Government’s actions were typical of the way it treats social care. “Social care providers are simply not listened to and this is another example of the sector being regarded as a Cinderella profession,” Mike added. “Had the Government listened to care providers when we said the policy was wrong a lot of unnecessary job losses, disrupted care, anxiety and heartache for the sector could have been avoided. “When care providers speak they do so from experience and from a desire to ensure that we can continue to deliver the best possible care for the oldest and most vulnerable in our community. “If there are lessons to be learned from the whole ‘no jab, no job’ fiasco then we hope that it is for the Government to listen more to those who know and care.”
University’s study seeks professionals
Residents and staff at a Dorset care home got into character as they celebrated the World Book Day annual celebration of reading. Hagrid from the Harry Potter stories and the hedgehog washerwoman Mrs Tiggy-Winkle from Beatrix Potter were among the literary favourites gracing a red-carpet catwalk at Colten Care’s Amberwood House in Ferndown. As each character appeared in costume for the parade, backed by clues to their identity given in song, assembled residents were invited to guess and shout out their names. Companionship team member and musical entertainer Rebecca Osborne dressed as Minnie Mouse while the prize for the best costume – a hamper of pamper treats – went to housekeeper Diana Skee for her ‘101 Dalmatians’ outfit. Resident Mary Whitehouse is pictured looking for Wally.
THE University of Bradford is seeking feedback from health and social care professionals as part of a study that aims to improve care across the sector. The study is based on a number of e-training training sessions developed in collaboration with Health Education England and Bournemouth University, which reflect a key goal of the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia (2015) to develop a trained and effective dementia care workforce. The sessions cover all subjects outlined by the Dementia Core Skills Framework. Research associate Dr Janet McNally said: “We are now in the final few months of collecting feedback in order to improve the sessions. “You can help by completing the training session followed by a short survey. You can also provide more detailed feedback via an online interview. “As a thank you, you will receive a £20 gift voucher for participating in an interview.” The University is evaluating dementia education provision with the aim of finding out if the sessions improve dementia knowledge, foster positive attitudes, increase confidence in delivering care, and most importantly if the training has a positive impact on the lives of people affected by dementia. In particular, the University is seeking responses to its training modules on pharmacology, diversity and inclusion, research and evidence-based practise and leadership in dementia care.