I hope this finds you well.

As things stand – and in line with the law passed by Parliament – we are fast approaching a government deadline for when healthcare workers must have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Those judged to be covered by the legislation need to have had their first dose by 3 February so they can have their second dose by 31 March and be fully vaccinated before 1 April. 

This looming deadline is causing anxiety for those who wish to remain unvaccinated and, in areas of low uptake, there is the potential it will pose a risk to the delivery of some services. After 3 February, if there is no change in the government’s approach, we will have to have meetings with the relevant members of staff who are yet to be vaccinated. At these meetings it is highly likely their contract of employment will be terminated. 

We are fully committed to the Covid-19 vaccination programme, and we have jabbed more than 149,000 people at our vaccination centres. The Covid-19 vaccine is the best protection against the virus as it reduces hospitalisations and saves lives. The overwhelming majority of our staff have already had their second jab, and many believe that all colleagues should be vaccinated. It is an issue that has generated much debate across the NHS, and our Trust is no different.

We are working with those who have yet to be vaccinated to try and address their concerns and encourage them to choose to have the vaccine. I outlined our approach, and our need to treat everyone with respect, earlier this month. One of the main concerns raised with us has been around choice and consent relating to medical treatment. A targeted approach with one-to-one conversations with nurses in our Emergency Departments has seen the number of unvaccinated nurses fall from 45 to six. 

Our records show that around 750 staff covered by this legislation (out of a workforce of 7,538 substantive employees) have not yet had their first dose. The areas of risk for our Trust remain geriatric services, our Emergency Departments, clinical support services and women and child health. We have a 10% vacancy among midwives, and 47 of our current 300 midwives are yet to be vaccinated.

If there isn’t a significant reduction in the number of our staff who are yet to be vaccinated - and assuming the original timetable is adhered to - it will be difficult for us after 1 April, but we should be able to operate normal services in most areas except maternity. 

We will concentrate midwifery staffing on the labour ward and ante-natal and post-natal care and we’ll have to further restrict access to our midwife-led birthing centre at Queen’s Hospital. We will work hard to maintain safe services and we know other providers in north east London are likely to face similar difficulties.

The commitment shown by our workforce throughout the pandemic has been inspiring and we’re grateful to Havering Council, who chose to dedicate a commemorative tree at Queen’s Hospital, as part of the borough’s Covid-19 tree project.

We held a ceremony this week, where I planted the tree with Deputy Mayor Councillor Christine Vickery and the Leader, Councillor Damian White. I hope it provides a quiet reflective space for staff, patients and visitors to remember those who have died during the pandemic, while also recognising the sacrifices made by NHS and social care staff, who have kept residents safe.

Kind regards,

Matthew Trainer
Chief Executive