Vince Cable

Vincent Cable, MP, has approached the local NHS authorities (the PCT) and the West Middlesex hospital demanding to know why hospital volunteers are required to be vaccinated and then charged for the vaccination.

Vincent Cable said that he had been approached by a ward sister at the West Middlesex whose daughter offered to do voluntary work after her A levels: "one would have thought that the hospital would welcome a willing pair of hands to do some admin work so as to free up staff for nursing duties. Alas no, the hospital first demanded that she be vaccinated, even though she was not in the frontline. She was then charged (£25) for the vaccination with no suggestion that this was an allowable expense for someone volunteering their time instead of working".

"I hope that this is nothing more than administrative carelessness. But if it emerges that the NHS is actively discouraging young people from volunteering, that is more worrying".