Thanks to every member of huge team delivering vaccinations
LAST Tuesday, I was invited to visit Ysbyty Enfys Bangor by the new CEO of Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, Jo Whitehead.
Ysbyty Enfys is the temporary field hospital that was set up last year as part of the emergency response to the covid pandemic. It is based in Canolfan Brailsford leisure centre at Bangor University and was originally fitted out to take 250 postcovid beds in the event that demand overwhelmed Ysbyty Gwynedd.
Walking into the hospital which takes up the whole sports hall of Canolfan Brailsford, I was impressed to see how it has been constructed using modular units decorated with local artwork and, with its high ceiling, it feels very airy in comparison to a normal hospital. The units are taken up with a small army of vaccinators working hard to ensure that local people receive their jab as swiftly and safely as possible.
Outside, volunteers in hi-vis jackets manage the traffic flow, whilst inside more volunteers supervise patients through the facility. Each person coming through for vaccination is taken from registration through to the vaccination area and then to a post-jab rest room. It is all done in a safe and socially-distanced way with minimal fuss. The empathetic team understand that the process may be distressing for some people and are on hand to provide support and guidance.
I took the opportunity to talk to some of the staff working there about how they are coping. Each one, although tired, spoke optimistically about their role in protecting people, and there was a tangible team spirit. Vaccinators are being brought in from many walks of life with training provided to those who meet the experience criteria. This means that current and retired nurses, GPs and other healthcare professionals are being used to deal with the volume of people needed to be seen.
Those attending for vaccination were also optimistic. They told me that they were grateful to be there and looking forward to the day when restrictions can ease again now that we have a vaccine.
As of 29 January, BCUHB had vaccinated 84,292 people, including nearly 30,000 over 80s and 20,000 health care workers. It is on target to have vaccinated all over 70s by the middle of February.
This is the UK’s largest ever vaccination programme and it has been a herculean effort for BCUHB in particular to get the vaccine out across such a wide and predominantly rural area in a relatively short space of time. It has been a community effort with Anglesey Council and other partners helping with transport for those who otherwise could not get to vaccination centres.
At the end of my visit, I sat down with Jo and members of her team and talked about the efforts that everyone has put in. Their message reflected conversations I have had with the leaders of Anglesey Council, which is that their teams, alongside many other key workers, are working incredibly hard to ensure that those in need are helped and supported.
I want to urge everyone reading this to be patient as they wait for their turn to be vaccinated. The teams at Ysbyty Enfys, Ysbyty Gwynedd, GP surgeries and other vaccination delivery points are dedicated to getting everyone seen as quickly and safely as possible.
Please do not call your GP to find out when your appointment will be – you will be contacted when it is your turn – and if you have not received notification within the timeframe for your cohort, BCUHB will be setting up a Helpline you can contact.
I would like to personally thank every member of the huge team that is working on the vaccination programme.
That is not just those delivering the vaccinations but also those coordinating the effort, volunteering, providing back-up to cover normal hospital day jobs, family and friends who provide background support, and others. As a nation, we salute you.
This regular column is one of the many ways in which I communicate the work I am doing across our island on your behalf. In addition to my free monthly e-newsletter and regularly posting on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn I have a weekly MônFM radio slot at 8pm every Friday and I hold regular surgeries.
Please do get in touch if you would like me to talk (via zoom!) to your local community group, charity or school or if you have any ideas that you would like to share as to how I can reach out to all corners of our island.
As always you can contact me at my office in Holyhead on 01407 644 645 or via my website www.virginiacrosbie.co. uk
Diolch yn fawr Virginia