Staff who refuse covid vaccination may see ‘impact upon their pay and pension’

NHS staff who have to be redeployed because they refuse to be vaccinated against covid may be forced to ‘compete’ for a new role and could find their pay and pensions affected if their transfer becomes permanent, according to new NHS England guidance.

Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid announced last month that all patient-facing NHS staff would need to have received two doses of the covid vaccine by 1 April 2022.

This includes non-clinical staff who may have face-to-face contact with patients, such as receptionists, porters and cleaners.

Guidance published this week urged organisations to identify options for potential redeployment to non-face-to-face roles, but advised against taking formal action until the new rules receive Parliamentary approval.

The guidance said: “Employers should consider the possibility of redeployment for staff in scope of the regulations and who remain unvaccinated on 1 April 2022.”

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Source: HSJ, 8 December 2021