Having listened to the news regarding mandatory testing for care workers , l wonder if the U.K government really have a handle on society. The population is growing older and the birth rate is lower. Due to the negative press there is a huge short fall of carers. Sadly due to the way this initiative has been presented to the wider public, it will no doubt cause more divisions within our society and the caring sector. Carer's are PROFFESIONALS and again they are being treated as low skilled workers and the assumption that they have little inability to understand the importance of the vaccine. There are many reasons including health reasons as to why some carers are unable to have the vaccine but they are the ones again that are being targeted. Why is this not being rolled to NHS Staff in hospitals etc ? What is the difference? Where is the understanding of circumstances of carers in care homes ?
Why mandatory vaccination for care homes and not NHS staff ?
Both are Professional occupations caring for people with illness one public and the other mainly private.
Both have contact with patients, such as feeding, personal care etc.
External costs - care homes foot the bill and have difficulty of recruiting staff due to the stigma of it being recognised as (lower) non professional occupation.
NHS is a public sector and therefore public pay through taxes could cause outcry possibly ?
Rights- NHS professionals versus Carers, this causes divisions in the professions.
Economy - obviously the government can afford to pay decent benefits to those that are forced to give up their profession, as well as making sure the elderly do not suffer . Does that make sense for economic recovery?
Most importantly where do all the residents go and what is put in place to assist families that will have to pick up the slack ?
Residents - well being ? Unless families are able to train the burden of mental health and well being of society will decline further. How does that assist with society and the economy ?
Hmm! Sadly the divisions within our society are growing wider. 😢
• Birth rate in the United Kingdom 1960-2018 | Statista
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Hi Hede
I agree with everything you have said. Having worked in the care sector myself for over ten years it is a profession I would not return to.
Being a Carer is a professional position which unfortunately is not recognised by either government or employer.
You have too much to do and not enough time
I remember working when we were short staffed and the employer would not bring extra staff in on overtime. That is when corners get cut and the staff get the blame.
Judith
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Hi Hèdè
With regards birth rate the austerity has been with us quite a few years now and people are struggling to make ends meet as it is without having to worry about children.
Starting a family has been pushed back to the back of the list. Having a child is costly. Bringing up a child over the years cost the same price as buying a house when you add it all up. Taking into consideration clothing, health, food, toys, sports, equipment, books, college, education, uni costs not to mention extra curriculum activities and a holiday or days out. No wonder people think twice!
Before Brexit there was plenty labour from overseas workers.
More than one and half million people of working age have left this country after Brexit. Thats why there is a shortage in care homes because of this with many working as HCW.
We now have an aging population many with health problems.
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HCA tend to be more hands on as nurses are busy organizing the care plans, medications and rotas in the office.
Young people are not interested because it is very hands on work. Very difficult physically, and low paid too. Maybe if the pay was better, enough to cover the costs of living they might be interested.
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Thank you for your comments,
Gill, agree nurses have that luxury, talking from experience of the job, care plan’s rota’s medication and paperwork can be left to carers and seniors during and after they have finished shift depending on the nature of the shift. Hidden time and costs to the carers at no extra rate. Many a time carers have worked over their shift to accommodate issues, mainly staffing. Trained to HCA level and beyond to cover those extras such as the paperwork and medication etc. Specialist care - carers train alongside nurses and Dr’s. They must learn how to monitor, how to deal with patients with vital and extreme health and mental needs daily including one -to one care which can be mentally and physically draining especially if you are lone working on a one-one basis. However, this is not recognised in the way it should be due the stereotyping of society and it is not helped by the way UK government and the media portray this sector. Carers are not doing it for the glory the majority do it because they care and because of this they are exploited and ridiculed by the way they are portrayed by society. Many a time l have heard the expression, ‘all you do is wipe people’s a****, and drink tea’! In contrast l have not heard that said by the public regarding the hospital HCA’s nurses etc.