NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) has issued new guidance for all healthcare employers to comply with the ‘vaccination as a condition of deployment’ (VCOD) requirements that will come into force on April 1, 2022.
The VCOD requirements will apply to all frontline workers, which includes non-clinical workers who may have face-to-face contact with patients, such as porters, cleaners and receptionists.
The guidance, developed by NHSEI in conjunction with the Social Partnership Forum, NHS Employers, the Department of Health and Social Care and Care Quality Commission (CQC), is aimed at NHS Trusts, Foundation Trusts, Integrated Care Systems, Community Interest Companies and all organisations registered with the CQC for the purposes of providing healthcare.
On January 6, 2022, the 12-week ‘grace’ period began, designed to give organisations time to prepare to meet the new requirements. February 3, 2022 is the last date for workers within the scope of the regulations to receive their first dose of an authorised vaccine (unless they are exempt).
The new guidance includes advice around the formal processes that should be followed, reconfiguration of roles, redeployment (temporary or permanent) and termination of employment.
