Litania crew’s ensuring boaters get Covid-19 jabs
A specially commissioned boat has been travelling the canals and waterways around Bath to make sure boaters get their vaccines.
Almost 300 people from the boating community have been given the coronavirus vaccination as the boat travels around Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
The unique project enabled health professionals to hold dropin clinics at several riverside locations across the area, and to deliver vaccinations to hundreds of people to me because I have to use the GP vaccinations at numerous waterway
Welcome who live on boats on a full-time surgery address. The boater clinic locations across the area over basis. was so well organised and I’m the Easter period, including the
Live-aboard boaters often face really grateful to everyone involved.” Dundas Basin, Bradford-on-avon, barriers to healthcare and are The joint initiative involving Devizes Wharf and Pewsey Wharf. thought to be at risk of missing out public health teams at Bath and Cecil Weir, fundraising and PR on the vaccination programme. North East Somerset Council, Wiltshire director at Julian House, said: “This
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Fanny Gorman, a live-aboard Council, local GP practices, project has been a fantastic success, boater, said; “As a key worker, I housing charity Julian House and both in terms of properly can’t say how much I appreciated Bath and North East Somerset, understanding the needs of liveaboard the vaccine boat as I’ve had to work Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical boaters, as well as pulling
NOW on throughout the pandemic. Commissioning Group, has together the complex logistics
“I know boaters can have real ensured local boaters have been which were necessary to make the issues registering with a GP and, able to receive vaccines in an easily vaccination sessions happen. personally, if I get a letter from accessible, safe and timely way. “In normal times, there are very mine, it’s normally delayed getting The innovative project delivered serious challenges for this community in terms of accessing health services.”
Gill May, director of nursing and quality, added: “This initiative is testament to the shared commitment by the NHS, local authorities and voluntary sector to ensure no one is excluded from the vaccination campaign.”
Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for adult services at Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “These mobile clinics recognise the additional challenges that boaters can face when trying to access health care and are there to ensure everyone who would like a vaccine can easily access a clinic close to where they’re moored.”
The new initiative builds on the learning gathered during a successful flu vaccination pilot project carried out by the BSW Partnership, which is made up of local health and care organisations, at the end of last year.
Clinics are held on board the narrow boat Litania and see jabs administered by a team including clinicians, public health staff and outreach workers. The Litania is provided and driven by staff from the Canal Ministries organisation.