Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has a high percentage of staff with their first Covid vaccine dose, but hundreds of health care staff in Wiltshire are still unvaccinated. 

The Government is discussing the possibility of making vaccines mandatory for frontline NHS staff, a move that will impact hundreds of healthcare workers in Wiltshire.

More health care workers at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust are vaccinated than in almost all the trusts in the UK, new figures show, whereas Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust and Great Western Hospitals Trust have hundreds unvaccinated.  

NHS England figures published for the first time show that of the 4,445 health care workers at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, 4,274 (96.2%) had been given their first dose of the vaccine by the end of September.

This is one of the highest rates among more than 200 NHS trusts across England, though it means 171 workers are still unvaccinated.

The figures also show 4,129 (92.9%) had received both doses at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.

At Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, of the 6,031 health care workers, 5,751 (95.4%) had been given their first dose of the vaccine by the end of September.

Though this is above the average for NHS trusts across England, it means 280 workers are still unvaccinated.

The figures also show 5,609 (93%) had received both doses at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Of the 5,482 health care workers at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, 5,072 (92.5%) had been given their first dose of the vaccine by the end of September.

This is means that 410 workers are still unvaccinated.

The figures also show 4,883 (89.1%) had received both doses at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Health care workers are on the frontline of the pandemic, however across England there are still 110,000 workers who have not had their vaccine. 

Around 92.4% of staff have had at least one dose, and 89% have had both, though rates vary significantly at NHS trusts across the country.

As hospitals have a high staff turnover some vaccine records can be missed, and there are a few staff that are clinically unsuited to vaccination, with a small percentage who refuse it, which makes it difficult to reach 100% according to an insider.

Salisbury City Hall Vaccination Director Fiona Hyett said: "We are pleased at the response we have had from staff, it's a testament to the vaccination teams hard work and colleague's pragmatic and responsible approach to protecting themselves, their patients and their friends and family.

"But the job is far from over as we are now working tirelessly to ensure our staff are able to have the third booster vaccine along with seasonal flu.

"Vaccination is the best protection from COVID-19 and I would encourage everyone to accept the invitation to be vaccinated. 

"Get the COVID booster as soon as you are invited and remember it is never too late to have the first jab."

The Royal College of GPs has strongly urged all health and care professionals to get vaccinated, saying it will help protect them, their colleagues and their patients from contracting Covid-19.

However, Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, added: "Whilst we understand the desire of some people to make vaccination mandatory, we don’t agree with it as informed and educated choices about health interventions would be more beneficial long-term than enforcing them, which risks leading to resentment and mistrust.

"There are also workforce implications to consider at a time when we need as many people as possible working in general practice and across the health and care sectors delivering essential patient care and services."

Chief executive of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor said: “Where uptake needs to increase, leaders are working with their teams ensuring they are fully supported.

"Making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for frontline workers could have its advantages in the NHS but the Government needs to carry out a full risk assessment including timeframes to ensure there was no adverse impact on staff retention and recruitment at a time when the NHS is facing significant demand for its services.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said a final decision on making vaccination mandatory for all NHS staff had not been taken yet “but it is something that I’m heading towards”.

He told Times Radio today: “We’ve been very clear and open about this, working with our friends in the NHS, and the reason for this is if you’re working in the NHS, that fantastic work you’re doing every day, you yourself are more susceptible to this virus because you’re just much more likely to come into contact with it, but also the people that you’re looking after are more vulnerable and that’s why they’re in hospital, they’ve got health needs, and this is about protecting them and protecting yourself.”

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