Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to/from Care Homes following the 11 November
No. 437/2021
12 October 2021
Our Ref: E1/21
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail and Parcelforce Deliveries and Collections to/from Care Homes following the 11 November coming into force of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021:
Introduction:
Discussions have been taking place with Royal Mail Group (covering both the Royal Mail and Parcelforce workforce) in relation to the impact on collections and deliveries to the nation’s circa 18,000 care homes from 11 November 2021 when new legislation comes in to force in England, namely ‘The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021.’
Background:
New Government legislation will come into effect in England on 11 November 2021 relating to care homes which makes it a legal requirement that anyone entering a registered care home premises must be fully Covid-19 vaccinated, providing proof of vaccination or exemption before being allowed to enter the premises. The new law primarily affects those employed in care homes but also equally applies to visitors and those not directly employed by the care home but for example undertaking maintenance, repairs or services – including deliveries and postal collection and delivery services.
The Agreed Procedure For All Deliveries and Collections From Care Homes:
In order to maintain a ‘consistent’ approach to these customers, the safety and wellbeing of our members and to avoid any conflict with care home owners, management and operators, Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail and Parcelforce) have agreed the following policy and approach from 11 November 2021:
Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers will not enter care homes.
All deliveries and collections will be made outside care homes.
All workers delivering to or collecting from care homes will be informed of the forthcoming regulations so they understand the impact on deliveries and collections.
Royal Mail does not expect any employee to provide evidence of their vaccination status.
Deliveries taking place to one or more external boxes at care homes can continue.
Local Managers must contact care home site managers to discuss the implications of the new legislation and agree delivery/collection arrangements from 11 November 2021. These discussions should also fully involve local CWU Representatives of any operational changes which may impact their units resulting from the regulations.
If care home staff do not come outside to collect their mail and parcels – Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers must not enter the premises even if a reception area is near the entrance. The mail/parcels must be returned to the office and then delivery attempted again the following day. If staff are unable to deliver again, then this will be reported to the office manager who will contact the care home to discuss the collection/delivery arrangements.
The normal P739 Card procedure will apply where care home staff fail to come outside the care home to accept ‘signed-for’ items.
Collections as with deliveries must also be undertaken from the outside at an external point.
TUC and UK Trade Unions Policy
The TUC and all UK Trade Unions, including those Unions representing care home workers are strongly opposed to these new regulations which they see as counter-productive.
Attachments:
Managers’ Brief: Guidance for Deliveries to Care Homes in England from 11 November 2021
WTLL Staff Briefing/Huddle (Royal Mail & Parcelforce) Delivery To Care Homes in England Legislative Changes from 11 November 2021
Any Enquiries or operational issues in relation to this LTB should be directed to the appropriate department.
Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Mark Baulch Assistant Secretary Outdoor Department
Davie Robertson Assistant Secretary Processing, Logistics, Parcelforce, International, Quadrant Department