Updated statement following the Government's announcement on cancellation of mandatory vaccinations policy

Statement / comment
01 February 2022
The Government's announcement that the mandatory vaccination policy will not come into effect is welcome.  

Mandatory vaccinations could have an adverse impact on workforce capacity, training and patient care, particularly at a time when services are already severely stretched and dealing with chronic staff shortages. 
 
We strongly encourage our members to take up the Covid-19 vaccine for their own wellbeing and to protect those that they treat and care for.  

There is clear evidence that it reduces the risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 and helps reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus.  

We need to do everything we can to retain valuable clinicians working tirelessly in mental health services.  

We will continue to support the efforts to persuade the small number of staff, who have yet to be vaccinated, of its value to both them and to their patients.  

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