What immunisations do my staff need?

Why do staff of a private GP clinic need to be immunised?

It is a CQC requirement that staff working in GP practices must be immunised appropriately depending on their role within the practice. The CQC will check the immunisation status of your employees during their inspection, so it is imperative to ensure all your employees are compliant.

Immunising your staff is not just about regulatory compliance; it serves several vital functions:

• Protect the health of the staff member and their families: Vaccinating staff helps safeguard them and their families from potentially serious illnesses.
• Protect the health of your patients: Ensuring your staff are immunised minimises the risk of transmitting infections, particularly to vulnerable patients.
• Protect other staff working in your clinic: By reducing the likelihood of infections spreading among your team, you help maintain a healthy and efficient working environment.
• Enable your clinic to run efficiently without interruption: With fewer health-related absences, your clinic can operate more smoothly.

What immunisations do your staff need?

The specific immunisations required will depend on the role and exposure level of each staff member. Staff who come into contact with patients should be up-to-date with their routine vaccinations. Some staff may need additional immunisations, especially if they are exposed to certain illnesses.

You can find detailed immunisation requirements on the CQC website, as mentioned in our further resources section.

Who pays for immunisations?

If any of your staff lack the necessary immunisations, they will need them to comply with regulations. As a private healthcare provider, you are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of immunisations for salaried employees. Independent contractors need to manage their immunisations and provide evidence of compliance.

"Staff vaccination is an important part of the CQC inspection. By ensuring any new staff complete a pre-employment health assessment and provide evidence of immunisation history at the start of their employment, you can be on top of this from the outset." — Practice Manager

How do I evidence immunisation status to the CQC?

You will need to show that an effective immunisation programme is in place. Employees should undergo an occupational health assessment and a pre-employment health assessment to review immunisation needs.

Keeping detailed records of immunisation statuses and using systems like EMIS Web can be valuable for storing this information efficiently. These tools integrate with various clinical systems, offering comprehensive support for compliance management.

Further resources

• CQC guidance
• What staff do you need to run a private general practice?