Patient Voice pleads with NHS staff to get their vaccinations after concerns were raised that up to one in 20 hospital staff could quit their jobs over mandatory vaccines.

National government wants all health and social care workers who have direct face-to-face contact with people while providing care to be double jabbed by April 1, 2022.

However, there are concerns over the potential impact of mandatory Covid vaccinations for staff on the NHS.

Jacquie Pearce-Gervis Chair of Patient Voice said: "Patient Voice feels it would be very sad indeed if one in 20 NHS staff quit. We all appreciate their hard work and commitment during these difficult times. However, they can't hold us to ransom. They must look at the wider picture and not their personal feelings.

"It is because we were vaccinated that so many of the horrible diseases, such as Smallpox, Malaria and Polio have now been eliminated in the world. We hope they will re-think their views for the sake of their patients."

Read also: Oxford Doctor concerned NHS staff could quit over mandatory Covid vaccine

This comes after Dr Alan Cohen, co-opted on to the Oxfordshire Joint Health & Overview Scrutiny Committee, requested information on what ratio of staff in the county could be affected and what the impact would be if they decide not to take the jabs.

Jo Cogsworth, director of transformation on the board of Oxfordshire’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said they are working with the trusts to review which staff have been vaccinated already or not.

She said they will support, encourage and answer questions staff have as to why they have not been vaccinated.

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