COVID vaccination services run by family doctors and their teams are starting across Worcestershire as the roll out of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history gains further momentum.
Some GP practices across the county have now received delivery of the vaccine and started their clinics, with the rest following over the coming days and weeks when more vaccines arrive.
This latest phase of the vaccine roll-out is being co-ordinated by GP-led primary care networks (PCN), which are groups of general practices working more closely together. This means patients may be invited to receive the vaccine from a location that is different to their registered practice but one that will still be nearby to where they live.
The last few weeks has seen practice teams working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.
Dr Gemma Moore, practising GP and lead for Droitwich and Ombersley PCN said: “As a GP I’m proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to come forward when they are called up for the vaccine.”
Simon Trickett, chief executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG added: “Delivering the Covid vaccination programme in Herefordshire and Worcestershire is a huge challenge.
“However, our local general practice has an excellent track record of delivering mass vaccination programmes, and I’m confident we can use this experience to help protect people from Covid-19 and start getting life back to normal again.”
Patients are reminded that the NHS will contact people in priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine and to not contact their GP practice or local hospital directly asking for an appointment.
