‘We’re making history’ says PM’S ‘jab hero’
TEAM PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS TO MEET BOOSTER TARGET
THE leader of one of Nottinghamshire’s biggest Covid vaccination operations has labelled her team “history makers” after more than a year of administering jabs.
Kim Kirk, vaccination operation lead at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said she and her team were “pulling out all the stops” to ensure everyone who eligible for a vaccine got one by the end of the year.
The operation’s hub at King’s Mill Hospital has given around 200,000 jabs since it was set up in December last year.
Ms Kirk, 44, has been part of the set-up since the beginning after moving from her role as head of patient experience at the NHS trust.
And the work of Ms Kirk and her team was praised by Boris Johnson earlier this month, with the Prime Minister hailing her as a “jab hero”.
“It’s been a life-changing experience,” she said. “We’re making history so it’s great to be part of that. All the staff would say this has been a real sense of purpose.
“Being part of something positive has been something really beneficial at a time when we’ve had to deal with some really difficult times.
“But to be able to keep coming back here and be part of something that is making such a positive difference has been important for us all.”
Despite some mickey-taking from her teammates over the Prime Minister’s compliment, she says it was “great” for morale.
“It was a big shock, a massive surprise,” she said. “It was great for the team. Because obviously I’m just the person who’s leading this team. They work really hard, so does everybody up and
down the country.”
Now, though, focus remains solely on getting as many people jabbed as possible.
“They’re busy times but we’re working really hard to try and make sure people come and get boosted,” said Ms Kirk.
“We’re pulling out all the stops to make sure there’s appointments for the local population.
“I’ll work here as long as needed. We’re pulling together as a team and as a programme to keep going while we need to keep vaccinating to protect and keep people safe.”
Pam Bains, 43, has been part of the operation for almost its entirety, although she was forced to take months off work while suffering from Covid herself.
And she said colleagues helped her on her road to recovery.
“I work with a fabulous team of people who stuck with me through my recovery from Covid,” she said.
“Sometimes patients come in who aren’t sure about getting the vaccine, so when they change their mind and you give it to them you feel a real sense of accomplishment.”
Speaking of his pride of the operation in light of the PM’S remarks, Rob Simcox, deputy director of HR at Sherwood Forest, said: “Kim’s a very modest woman, she’s very proud of what she does, What she’s achieved is down to teamwork good spirit and great leadership.
“It’s recognition that we’ve a great team down here at Sherwood, and it’s something I’m certainly very proud of.”