Around 400 people working in Cumbrian care homes had not yet been “double jabbed” as of Thursday, when it became mandatory for them to be vaccinated to work in the sector.
This represents about seven per cent of the care home workforce, according to figures released by Cumbria County Council.
Pre-COVID, the care home sector nationally had over 100,000 vacancies and it is estimated that between 30,000 and 60,000 people will now be unable to work in the sector until they can provide proof of their vaccination status.
This applies to all working in care homes, including tradesman, cleaners and gardeners.
“When the NHS vaccination becomes mandatory it is estimated between four to five per cent of staff will leave, or more likely, go off on long term sick with anxiety,” said Dani Leslie, chief executive of Eden Carers, a charity which supports unpaid carers in the district.
This will impact on the ongoing social care crisis which has been caused by lack of staff in the care sector — the bedrock of the social care system, said Dani.
She added: “The lack of staff in the care sector is a direct result of successive governments putting re-election before their responsibility to develop a sustainable, well-funded social care system.
“Unfortunately as a society we have let them get away with it.
“When, however, you are involved with the social care system either directly or via a loved one you do realise that the chronic underfunding has direct, sometimes dire consequences.
“We hear that the situation in Eden is not as bad as in other areas of Cumbria and that is due to the dedication of the care agencies and the individuals who work for them.”
On the issue of care home staff vaccination, Penrith county councillor Patricia Bell, cabinet member for adult social care, said on Thursday: “The county council and local NHS have worked hard to support care homes over recent months to ensure as many staff as possible got the vaccine.
“However, for a range of reasons some staff have chosen not to be vaccinated or been unable to.
“Care homes have been preparing for this deadline and have plans in place to deal with staffing shortfalls, but it comes at a time when care homes, and social care providers generally, are struggling to recruit and retain staff for a range of other reasons.
“Indeed, social care providers say mandatory vaccination is a less significant issue than other factors, such as wage competition from other employment sectors.
“The huge staffing challenge the social care sector is facing in Cumbria is why we announced last week a £7 million market sustainability fund to support social care providers through this winter.
“This is absolutely vital to ensure social care is available to the thousands of people who need it around the county.”
Mrs Bell added that the county council has been working closely with the private sector to identify homes that might have a staffing risk.
“I feel fairly confident that if we had any weaknesses in Eden they will have been covered,” said Mrs Bell.
