Unions in Lincolnshire criticise plan to make vaccines mandatory for NHS staff
Doctors and nurses will need to get the jab by April 1st
We're being told mandatory vaccines for frontline NHS workers will force staff in Lincolnshire to quit.
From April 1st, Doctors and Nurses will be required to get the jab - meaning they'll need to have their first dose by next Thursday.
Those who aren't vaccinated or medically exempt will be dismissed if they cannot be deployed to non-patient facing roles.
Keith Libetta is from Unison in Lincolnshire he says it's an additional pressure on a health service which is already under a lot of stress.
He says "we are opposed to the idea of mandatory vaccinations for staff".
"We think the way to do that is to encourage staff and educate staff, we don't think compulsion is a way of progressing the idea".
"This is just an additional pressure on an NHS which is already under severe pressure through additional increased work, winter demands, the number of vacancies we currently carry and staff off themselves with Covid and having to self isolate".
"What is being created is a "cliff edge" we think in the NHS whereby a number of people might actually end up leaving the service due to these new rules".
"That will just put ever greater pressure at a time when they're under severe pressure already".
The Government says it's vital to protect patients, staff - and reduce Covid-19 absences.