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16
Jun 2021
Some Harrogate district care workers could quit over compulsory vaccines
Compulsory covid vaccines for care home staff could cause some care workers in the Harrogate district to quit their jobs, a local carer has warned.
But another described it as a positive move that would protect care home residents who were unable to be vaccinated for health reasons.
It was reported today that all care home staff in England will be given 16 weeks to be vaccinated or potentially lose their jobs.
A third of North Yorkshire's 235 care homes are in the Harrogate district so many staff could be affected.
Alison Morgan, a carer from The Manor House Knaresborough, said she was pro-vaccination but opposed making it compulsory. She said:
Ms Morgan said there were mixed feelings among the home's 65 staff, and that she knew a few workers at other care homes that were likely to leave if vaccines became mandatory. She added:
But Sue Cawthray chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, which operates care homes as part of its mission to help older people, described it as a positive move.She said:
Read more:
- Over 200,000 covid vaccines have been delivered in the Harrogate district
- Harrogate district covid rate increases again
The government is expected to announce the move in the coming days following a Department of Health and Social Care consultation.
'Persuasion better than coercion'
Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, which represents care providers in York and North Yorkshire, said on Radio 4's Today programme this morning he was pro-vaccination but had doubts about making it mandatory for care home staff. He said:
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