BPS calls for more time to work with vaccine-hesitant NHS staff
As ministers meet today ahead of the 3 February deadline for NHS staff to receive a first dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, the British Psychological Society is calling for this measure to be delayed to allow more vaccine-hesitant staff to be reached.
31 January 2022
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While we understand the importance of vaccination for those working with vulnerable individuals in keeping them safe, we are concerned that the deadline poses a real threat to staffing levels in the NHS, which are already under extreme pressure, and is distracting from other issues.
Psychologists have worked throughout the pandemic to reach people who have genuine concerns over vaccination which can be allayed through evidence-based conversation, and to support those who have phobias around vaccination and needles.
We believe that many of the NHS staff who have not yet received a first dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine fall into these categories and that, with more time and backing, psychologists would be able to provide the support that people need to make the right choice for themselves and those they care for.
The NHS is facing up to a potentially catastrophic loss of staff at a time when it needs all hands on deck.
It would be disastrous if dedicated staff are lost to the health service as a result of them not having received the right support in time.