It’s jab well done for Joyce and Branislav in vaccine rollout
DOZENS of people have been vaccinated in Ashbourne, as St Oswald’s Hospital continues to serve as a main hub for immunising the residents of the Derbyshire Dales.
Joyce and Branislav Lake became the first two patients to be vaccinated at the Clifton Road health centre on Thursday morning, as the delicate Pfizer Biontech doses started to arrive.
The hospital is now also stocking the Oxford Astrazeneca jabs, and all care home residents have received a vaccine, along with a large swathe of the town’s population of over-80s.
Dr Ben Milton, the Clinical Director for Derbyshire Dale Primary Care Network, which is managing the St Oswald’s site, said: “We’re delighted to have begun Covid-19 vaccinations at St Oswald’s Hospital, and the response from patients has been wonderful.
“They have been supportive, positive and grateful for all the work put in to get this site up and running so quickly.
“A lot of hard work has gone in across the Primary Care Network, and I want to thank everyone for their efforts.
“This is a major vaccination programme and would not be possible without the efforts of teams across many different organisations.”
Residents are being sent invitations to attend appointments to the hospital, and help with transport is being provided where necessary.
However, doctors have expressed their disappointment at a handful of people who have not turned out for their appointments - and staff have even reported working late to ensure missed doses were given out, as they did not want to waste the vaccine.
Dr Penny Blackwell, GP at Hannage Brook Medical Centre, who has led preparations of the St Oswald’s site said: “We began vaccinating on Thursday morning and have made good progress, with no major issues.
“People should not get in touch with us about a vaccination unless they receive an appointment, and we also ask that patients contact their practice if they are unable to attend their appointment.”
Derbyshire Dales MP Sarah Dines and Ashbourne Town Councillor Ann Smith visited the hospital on Friday to speak to Dr Milton and to watch the first vaccines being given to patients. Following her visit Ms Dines said: “I am so proud of the work of the whole team, which includes many volunteers, who have been working around the clock delivering the precious vaccine to our most vulnerable members of the public.
“Speaking to many Members of Parliament across the nation, Derbyshire Dales is certainly at the front of delivery.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr Milton and his team. The dedication and professionalism on show by those in the programme on Friday was matched only by the enthusiasm of those being vaccinated and the general spirit of ‘we can do it’ shown by all. It was a moving and uplifting visit. I sincerely thank Dr Milton and his team.”
Meanwhile, Derbyshire Dales District Council’s chief executive has written to local NHS bosses to thank them for the hard work their teams have put in keeping everyone safe and well throughout the pandemic.
In a letter to Dr Chris Clayton, accountable officer and chief executive of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Paul Wilson wrote: “The last nine months have proved to be some of the most testing and challenging times that any of us have ever experienced in our lifetime as all public authorities have collectively battled to sustain the delivery of key services and facilities to those who rely upon us most.
“Despite the challenges that have been faced to date, and continue to be faced on a daily basis, the commitment and dedication of every single person who works in the NHS across Derby and Derbyshire is to be applauded and they deserve our heartfelt thanks for the selfless way in which they go about their extraordinarily challenging work in order to care for us all.”
I am so proud of the whole team who have been working around the clock delivering the vaccine. Sarah Dines