Care home manager praises staff over roll-out of jab
THE manager of an Ashbourne care home says she is proud of the colleagues who have been pulling out all the stops to vaccinate residents and staff since New Year’s Day.
Care homes were among the first places in the country to receive deliveries of the delicate Pfizer/biontech jabs and it is hoped all residents will be vaccinated by the end of the month.
Juanita Wheeldon, manager of The Leys, in Old Derby Road, was vaccinated on the same day as her residents.
She said: “I am extremely proud of my staff teams, who have shown the utmost commitment to caring for our residents throughout this pandemic, taking additional shifts, sacrificing leave and time spent with their families to provide care for our residents.
“It has been a difficult time for all and particularly for the families of our residents as all the care in the world does not replace the embrace of a loved one.
“While we will continue to wear all the necessary PPE and follow all infection control measures for some time to come, I hope the vaccination will bring us back to normality as soon as possible.”
Care home residents and social care staff are in the first priority group outlined by the Government which says it hopes to vaccinate all care home residents.
Among residents to get the vaccine recently was Jean Holt, 93, who has been at the The Leys for a year.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult care, Councillor Jean Wharmby, said getting the vaccine was an enormous relief to everyone.
She said: “These are momentous times for our residents, who are among the most vulnerable in Derbyshire.
“Getting the vaccine now is a tribute to the hard work, dedication and brilliance of everyone involved, including our own staff who are supporting their colleagues in the NHS to make this happen.
“I hope this giant step will help bring a more normal way of life nearer and ensure we can be reunited with our loved ones as soon as we can,” she added.
“I’d like to pay tribute to our colleagues in the NHS as well as our own care staff for working tirelessly to deliver the vaccine programme.
“The vaccine is a shining light at the end of a long tunnel and I’d encourage everyone to take it up when it’s offered.”