In England the special paid leave for NHS staff out of work with Covid-related illnesses must be removed, at a time when two new variants are rapidly increasing infection rates.
From 7 July, the staff conditions section of Covid’s employment guidance will be withdrawn, which will mean the immediate end of the guarantee of sickness benefits for new episodes of illness.
Access to Covid’s special permit for self-isolation will also be withdrawn, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which said the decision indicated “how little the UK government values its nursing staff “.
RCN England director Patricia Marquis said: “This decision is very disappointing given that Covid-19 has clearly not disappeared and nursing staff continue to be disproportionately affected by the virus as it faces to an increased risk of exposure.
“We know that many of our members suffer from a long Covid, with their lives negatively affected, making them unable to work.
“Facing the threat of losing full pay for illness if you stay sick for a condition that some might argue is an occupational risk is negligent and unfair.
“It’s another indication of how little the UK government values its nursing staff.
“The NHS pay is barely enough to make it to the end of the month at best, and this will be another time for some struggling with Covid-19-related health issues.”
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The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the orientation was “temporary” and that the changes were part of learning to live with Covid.
Under the guidance, Covid-related periods of absence are paid in full for all NHS workers, regardless of seniority.
According to the above guideline, which currently also applies to non-Covid-related illnesses, staff are entitled to additional paid leave depending on how long they have worked for the NHS.
Staff during their first year of service are entitled to one month’s full salary and two months at half pay each year. After five years of service, they are entitled to six months full pay and six months half pay.
The change will have a major impact on staff suffering from a long Covid, which can prevent people from working for months.
Covid-19 cases increase again due to the spread of two Omicron variants: BA.4 and BA.5.
According to government data, 112,710 people tested positive in England and Wales for the seven days to June 25, 35% more than the previous week.
However, the actual figures are likely to be much higher, as the Government is only tracking the positive tests recorded on its website, while the provision of free trials is now over.
The ZOE Covid study, which has been collecting data during the pandemic, says there are currently around 290,000 new infections in the UK every day.
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “As we learn to live with Covid, we are withdrawing the temporary illness guide from NHS staff that was launched at the height of the pandemic, as part of plans to return to normality.agreements set out in the terms and conditions of the NHS.
“This provides generous support for NHS staff with up to six months full pay and six months half pay, depending on the length of service.”