Big push to vaccinate priority groups paying off
AS a massive effort continues to vaccinate all the key priority groups in the Derbyshire Dales, the area’s MP has praised healthcare professionals and volunteers for “going the extra mile”.
St Oswald’s Hospital remains as a central hub for rolling out the vaccines to people living in and around Ashbourne, and figures show that nearly all the first four cohorts have now received their first jab – residential care patients, health and social care workers and those aged over 70 or at high risk.
This has meant work is now underway on reaching the over-65s, which the teams are now around a quarter of the way through.
Letters and text messages are being sent out by GPS to their patients, and people are advised to wait until they arrive before booking a jab.
Sarah Dines, the MP for the Derbyshire Dales, said: “Across Derbyshire
Dales residents are receiving the vaccine thanks to a passionate team of scientists, project managers, delivery drivers, carpark attendants, nurses, doctors and a whole host of volunteers making the vaccinations happen.
“To say I am pleased with how the vaccinations are progressing, not only in the Derbyshire Dales, but the country as a whole, is an understatement. The effort of everyone involved is extraordinary.
“Locally, we have so many committed people dedicating their time to keeping residents informed and delivering the vaccine.
“One such organisation that is doing all they can to support their patients is Hannage Brook Medical Centre in Wirksworth.
Dr Penny Blackwell, who is the vaccination lead for the South Dales area, has been using social media on behalf of the whole team at Hannage Brook Medical Centre to update patients on the vaccination programme and to address any concerns that patients have.
“It is fantastic to see GP surgeries using social media to talk to patients whilst we are in lockdown and the feedback I have received is incredibly positive. I phoned Dr Blackwell to thank her and the rest of the team for going the extra mile in supporting their patients at this time. “The Derbyshire Dales vaccination programme, led by Dr Ben Milton, has continued to push on at a fantastic rate and I am so thankful for their time, expertise and determination.”