Nursing in Practice Autumn 2021 (issue 121) - Page 5

NEWS 5

Javid confirms winter plan and NHS awarded £ 5.4bn extra

Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid confirmed to the House of Commons the Covid booster programme would go ahead from 20 September with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine .

As part of the Government ’ s autumn / winter plan , around 30 million people will be eligible for a booster jab – including those aged 50 and over , care home residents , health and social care workers , and younger at-risk adults .

It came in the week after ministers pledged £ 5.4bn over six months to help the NHS in England cope with the pandemic and tackle the mounting backlog . The Health Foundation charity puts the actual sum needed at £ 16.8bn .

In his speech on 14 September , Mr Javid also told the Commons 12- to 15-year-olds would be offered one dose of the Pfizer vaccine . Getting people vaccinated is the first of five ‘ pillars ’ of the plan for dealing with coronavirus through autumn and winter , he added .

Javid : booster will be offered to over-50s

Ministers have also prepared a ‘ Plan B ’ to prevent ‘ unsustainable pressure ’ on the NHS . This could include compulsory face coverings , a return to working from home and vaccine passports for large indoor events .

Under Plan A , as well as vaccinations , the Government will deliver the ‘ largest-ever ’ flu jab campaign and continue antiviral research .

RCN moves Congress online after sexual harassment allegations

The RCN is reviewing its safeguarding policies after moving its annual conference to an online-only event following ‘ serious allegations of sexual harassment ’.

Congress 2021 had been due to take place at Liverpool ’ s Exhibition Centre from 18 to 20 September , with some sessions streamed online .

Council chair Carol Popplestone said : ‘ We know that many members planning to attend were looking forward to seeing each other in person for the first time in two years .

‘ But this decision was made with members ’ safety at the top of our minds . That is what we are here to safeguard at all costs ,’ she added .

The RCN said it would also undertake ‘ a full review of safeguarding policies and procedures ’. It did not provide further details of the allegations to Nursing in Practice when asked .

Mandatory Covid and flu jabs ‘ highly likely ’ for nurses

Covid-19 and flu vaccinations are ‘ highly likely ’ to be made mandatory for nurses and frontline

No choice : nurses may have to accept the jab

healthcare staff , the health secretary told the House of Commons on 14 September .

A six-week consultation was launched on 9 September to decide on making vaccination ‘ a condition of deployment ’ for frontline NHS staff .

Under the proposals , only health and social care workers double vaccinated against Covid-19 and vaccinated against flu will be allowed in contact with people receiving care , unless they have a medical exemption .

The Government is seeking views from NHS staff , healthcare providers , stakeholders and patients but Sajid Javid revealed the requirement would probably come into force .

But the RCN has raised concerns about introducing mandatory vaccinations , with professional lead for public health Helen Donovan arguing ‘ the focus should be on communicating the benefits of the vaccination rather than making them mandatory ’.

She continued : ‘ Involving staff in this consultation will help them to become further involved in the decision making and it is vital their views are properly taken into account over the next steps .’ Take part in the consultation : bit . ly / 3hOZcwT

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