The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published its response to the government consultation on making COVID-19 vaccination a condition of deployment in the health and wider social care sector. 

 

As a result of that publication, the government has decided that providers of CQC-regulated activities in the health and social care sector must only deploy individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to any roles where they have direct, face-to-face contact with patients and service users. Full vaccination means that individuals must have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccination in line with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance. Front-line workers, as well as non-clinical workers not directly involved in patient care, such as receptionists, ward clerks, porters and cleaners, will be caught by the new rules. The requirements will apply whether a regulated activity is delivered through agency workers, volunteers or trainees or contracted to another provider. For health and care workers who may be exempt, the CQC-registered person must have seen qualifying evidence of their medical exemption before they can deliver care. 

 

The regulations for this extension of the regime which is already in force for care home workers will take effect from 1 April 2022 to give employers and workers in the health and social care sector time to meet the new regulatory requirements.   Whilst the extension of the compulsory vaccination principles is of course hugely controversial - not least as it will cover almost all NHS workers - the government say the move brings the UK in to line with countries such as France, Italy and the US who are already operating on this basis.