Dental practices have been told to stop serving notices of termination to unvaccinated staff in the run up to the vaccine mandate coming into force.
Chief dental officer for England, Sara Hurley, sent out the instruction yesterday afternoon.
The move follows the announcement that the government will reconsider the decision that all healthcare staff in primary care need to be double vaccinated by April.
Regulations making vaccines a condition of deployment for health and social care staff are set to be revoked – but subject to public consultation and parliamentary approval.
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Reconsidered
‘As you know the government passed legislation requiring vaccination as a condition of deployment, which was due to come in from 1 April 2022,’ she said.
‘However, as announced on Monday to the House of Commons, the Secretary of State has confirmed this is being reconsidered.
‘The government’s decision is subject to parliamentary process. It will require further consultation and a vote to be passed into legislation.
‘This change in government policy means we request that employers do not serve notice of termination to employees affected by the VCOD regulations.’
Funding boost
The money will secure up to 350,000 extra dental appointments, with children and also those with disabilities to be prioritised.
Funding will be divided among different regions. For example the north west receives £7,310,000 while the east of England was awarded £5,731,000.
Dentists involved in the scheme will be paid more than one third on top of their normal fee. This is for delivering care outside of their core hours, including weekends and also early mornings.
But many fear the expectation to work longer hours will only add pressure to an already tired workforce.
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