Sajid Javid has provoked outrage among many frontline health and social care workers following his comments on a recent radio show.

Mr Javid told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If you work in a care home you are working with some of the most vulnerable people in our country and if you cannot be bothered to go and get vaccinated, then get out and go and get another job.

“If you want to look after them (care home residents), if you want to cook for them, if you want to feed them, if you want to put them to bed, then you should get vaccinated.
“If you are not going to get vaccinated then why are you working in care?”

The government has said compulsory vaccinations in care homes will save lives and claim it is “a sensible and reasonable step” to protect care home workers and the people around them. While his sentiment may be true, the frank and bullish nature of his comments has undermined the dedication and risks many frontline staff have given over many years including the tough and uncertain times during the Covid19 pandemic.

Mr Javids comments will make a sector already struggling to recruit and retain experienced staff harder.