GRAB BOOSTER JAB AT TOWN HOSPITAL

Covid vaccination clinic to open later this month

A NORTH Staffordshire hospital will be the base for a town’s latest Covid-19 vaccination clinic.

The walk-in clinic at the Moorlands Hospital in Leek will be available for eligible patients without the need for an appointment from 10.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday, November 19.

Last month, a walk-in vaccination centre at Leek Fire Station was described as a ‘complete fiasco’ as queues formed for up to two hours in the rain.

Afterwards, county and district councillor Charlotte Atkins wrote to the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke Integrated Care Board outlining her anger.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, clinical lead for the vaccination programme in Staffordshire said: “We’d like to remind everyone that covid is still present in the community and getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself.

“At the last covid vaccination walk-in in Leek we vaccinated well over 300 people, although some had a long wait outside in poor weather. We’d like to thank those that attended and apologise if their experience wasn’t a good one.

“As we move into the colder months, we will be using indoor venues, where we can, for shelter and warmth. The venue for our next walk-in clinic in Leek allows more people to queue undercover, we’ll have some seating available and more volunteer marshals in place. “I would still urge people not to turn up too early however, and there may be some need to wait outside for a while, so please dress for the conditions on the day.”

Leek Moorlands Hospital is located in Ashbourne Road.

Alongside the walk-in clinic, there are bookable vaccination clinics in Leek and GPS will be inviting eligible people to come forward for their vaccine.

If eligible, you can book an appointment via www.nhs. uk or by calling 119.

County and district councillor, Charlotte Atkins added: “The hospital is empty but for the Minor Injuries Unit at the weekend so it is the perfect place for people to get their boosters.

“We are lucky to have a hospital in Leek but it must be used. It is what everyone would expect.”