Woman takes swing at golfers by jab site
A woman has said it is “absurd” that elderly, vulnerable, and critical key workers” should face “danger” from golfers when getting a vaccine at Bath Racecourse mass vaccination centre.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous but is a key worker, said when going to get her vaccine her car was struck by a golf ball.
She said: “My reasonable expectation is that golfers do not not aim directly at a route to a vaccination centre, it is hardly the greatest sacrifice made during the pandemic.”
The mass vaccination centre was set up at Bath Racecourse on January 27 and can vaccinate up to 900 people daily.
Lansdown Golf Club, one of the oldest clubs in the South West, is next to the racecourse and it said it had been in “constant touch” with the racecourse management team.
The course said in a statement that it had changed its layout to minimise disruption and that two incidents involving cars and golf balls had been reported to them.
A spokesperson for the vaccination site said they were sorry for any inconvenience caused as their staff are working very hard.
The key worker said that her and her friend were forced to wait for ten minutes while golfers played.
She said: “We were forced to wait, both going out and coming in, for ten minutes, while golfers played across the road in.
“On the way out, we were stopped in the middle of the road so golfers could play in front of us. A golf ball struck our car, narrowly missing the window (and my head).
“This further distressed my friend, who was already anxious due to a fear of needles and localised pain from the injection.
“When we complained to staff, we were dismissed as ‘the golfers have paid’ and ‘no one died.’”
She added: “According to one, incidents such as this occur frequently.
“Not one golfer apologised or checked up on us. I think it is absurd that the elderly, vulnerable and critical key workers such as myself should face such danger and additional inconvenience when accessing NHS services which save lives.
“I find it additionally disgraceful that trained public services personnel are expected to work shepherding cars through a golf course.
“One staff member in no PPE was standing metres from where the ball struck. A discarded NHS helmet was on the ground near him, and other staff did not seem to be wearing adequate protection.
“My reasonable expectation that golfers do not not aim directly at a route to a vaccination centre is hardly the greatest sacrifice made during the pandemic.”
In a statement, a spokesman for Lansdown Golf Club said: “We are aware that a complaint has been received from a member of the public about the safety issues surrounding the establishment of the NHS Vaccination Centre at Lansdown Racecourse.
“Lansdown Golf Course is one of the oldest clubs in the South West and sits alongside the Bath Racecourse.
“The road leading to the racecourse cuts across the golf course and we have always been mindful of the need for our members to take proper care when playing their shots across the road.
“The golf club and its members are fully aware of the importance of ensuring that the Covid vaccination programme goes smoothly but the establishment of a centre at the racecourse did present some challenges.
“We have been in constant touch with the racecourse management to ensure the safety of the public accessing the centre and to minimise any inconvenience. We have even made physical changes to the way the course is played to accommodate the NHS operation.
“The allegation that the marshals managing the traffic flow are NHS staff inappropriately deployed to these duties is incorrect.
“The racecourse has engaged a private security firm to take charge of this and we have been impressed with the way they have performed. Delays to the public and our members have been minimal and generally an atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation has been observed.
“There have been two minor incidents reported since the centre was set up, neither resulting in any injury, just minimal damage to cars. Both incidents have been dealt with swiftly and to the satisfaction of the people concerned.”
The statement continues: “The game of golf may seem trivial to many people, but it is an extremely healthy sport with recognised mental and physical benefits. Of course, compared to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it is of lesser importance.
“However, the golf club is a business and we have a duty to balance all the contributing factors to ensure we continue to meet the need of our members and, at the same time, not endanger or inconvenience the general public.
“We are confident that the arrangements currently in place are adequate to enable the vaccination centre to continue its work without undue interruption. Nevertheless, we will remind our members of the need to be constantly vigilant as times goes on.”
A spokesperson for the vaccination centre said: “We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by visitors to the vaccination centre when they enter or leave the racecourse.
“We are working closely with the nearby golf club to see what can be done to minimise disruption to those coming to get their vaccine.
“Our marshals work hard to ensure that those visiting the vaccination centre have as positive experience as possible and we’re very proud of the work they are doing.”