The Government is about to cut the "enhanced" sick pay for NHS workers in England who are off with Covid despite the number of cases and hospital admissions beginning to soar once again.
The Royal College of Nursing has said the Department of Health and Social Care wants changes to the way Covid-19 related sickness absence and self-isolation will be managed for NHS staff in England. From July 7, staff terms and conditions in Covid-19 workforce guidance will be withdrawn, meaning the immediate withdrawal of sick pay for new episodes of Covid-19 sickness, according to the RCN, plus access to Covid-19 special leave for the purposes of self-isolation will also be withdrawn.
Patricia Marquis, the college's England director, said: “This decision is hugely disappointing given that Covid-19 clearly hasn’t gone away, and nursing staff continue to be disproportionately affected by the virus as they face higher risk of exposure. We know many of our members are suffering from long Covid, with their lives adversely affected, making them unable to work.
“Facing the threat of losing full sick pay should they remain off sick from a condition some could argue is an occupational hazard, is neglectful and unfair. It’s another indication of how little the UK Government values its nursing staff.
“NHS pay is barely enough to make ends meet at the best of times, and this will be another blow for some struggling with Covid-19 related health issues.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “As we learn to live with Covid, we are withdrawing the temporary NHS staff sickness guidance that was put in place at the height of the pandemic, as part of plans to move back to the normal arrangements set out in the NHS terms and conditions.
“This provides generous support for NHS staff with up to six months full pay and six months half pay, depending on length of service.”
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