Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – People, which gave an update in relation to the risks associated with the recent Government legislation published on the need to vaccinate people working or deployed in care homes.

The implications of implementing the regulations identified in the original report (submitted to the Board on 28.09.21), were that staff who worked within care homes or were required to visit care homes as part of their role who were not fully vaccinated or refused to be vaccinated by 11 November 2021, could not continue to be employed in that role.

Members were provided with an update on the actions taken so far to implement the regulations and monitor and mitigate, where appropriate, the consequential risks associated with possible workforce reductions after 11 November 2021.

It was noted that an updated risk assessment had been carried out against the five risk areas outlined in the report – Employment, Workforce, Commissioning, Continuity of Care and Viability.  Members were advised that the Council would continue to review the business contingency plans for Council run care homes and the numbers vaccinated were now being monitored daily.   Further, the Council would continue to use all means available to encourage uptake and to ensure that providers continued to accurately and regularly report the vaccination status of their staff.

In response to a query regarding additional precautions being taken by staff who were medically exempt from vaccination but continuing to work in the care homes, it was noted that they were required to take two lateral flow tests per week; one PCR test per week; and wear the required PPE items prior to entering their place of work.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the report.