A care home manager from Southport says he does not support the idea of making Covid-19 vaccines compulsory for care home staff.
Jonathan Cunningham MBE firmly supports the idea of workers in the industry getting vaccinated, but believes that forcing people into doing so would “shatter their goodwill”.
Mr Cunningham is chair of the North and South Sefton care Home Group representing 132 care homes. He is also the Registered Care Manager over Birkdale Park Care Home and Rosebank Care Home in Southport and Chair and Founder of The UK Care Home Managers Inner Circle (3,500 members).
He believes that giving information and talking with members of staff about the benefits of vaccinations against Coronavirus is far more productive.
So far, 73.7% of care home staff in Sefton have been vaccinated against Covid-19 – a total of 2,661 out of 3,612 eligible care home staff.
However, NHS figures show that figures vary significantly across different parts of the country, with only a third of workers having had the injections in some parts of London.
Yesterday Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government is discussing whether to make Covid vaccines compulsory for care home staff.
Ministers are concerned about low uptake rates among carers in some regions. Mr Hancock admitted mandatory vaccination is ‘something we are looking at’ and claimed ‘many’ care homes support the proposal.
Jonathan Cunningham MBE is urging the government to reject the idea.
He said: “The recent announcement that it may become mandatory for care workers to be vaccinated is not something that I support.
“Whilst the spirit and intent are fully understood to safeguard societies most vulnerable, the thought of a mandated vaccination programme will only serve to shatter the fragile goodwill of care workers and NHS staff across the UK.
“Many will see this as the last straw after a horrific year. This would only serve to play into the hands of the conspirators, anti-vaxers and all those who still shun the devastation of this terrible virus.
“I think this idea is far too draconian. Instead we need to engage in conversations to those staff who remain anxious.
“Equally there are very real circumstances that the taking of the vaccine is not advised on rare health grounds.
“Mandatory vaccination is not the approach the government should be considering. This is a time for recognising our care staff.”
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