Today (15 January), a third COVID-19 vaccine ‘hospital hub’ has opened at Leicester’s Hospitals. The hub, at Leicester Royal Infirmary will be administering the Pfizer vaccine to health and social care staff from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The trust now has a hub at each of its three sites in the City.
Leicester’s Hospitals chief executive Rebecca Brown said: “We are seeing increased pressure in our hospitals with the third wave and so opening another vaccine hub, so quickly after our initial two, is fantastic to see. Each vaccine delivered is a shot of hope and I’m proud and grateful to our wonderful teams who have worked round the clock to get these hubs open and operational so quickly”.
Healthcare Assistant, Orlando Mateo and Matron, Zaheeda Sotta, were two of the first people to be vaccinated at the new hub. Zaheeda said: “Being able to get the vaccine has given me a sense of security, and protection for my patients. A lot of work has gone into making the vaccine possible, I feel privileged to be able to have it. There is hope.”
Orlando, a frontline worker said that the vaccine offers a sense of security. “I am a frontline worker, and BAME and I wanted to have it to protect my family. I feel less vulnerable now than I did before. That’s a good feeling. I would just say to people, get it done.”
Angela Hillery, chief executive of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “Our staff have been phenomenal in supporting the co-ordination and delivery of vaccinations to the health and social care workforce through these hubs and I couldn’t thank them enough. We are very proud to be working alongside our wider NHS family to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as we can, and hope to continue to create further local hubs.
“Thank you to everyone for playing their part in fighting this pandemic, across all our services and teams, you are all amazing.”
It is anticipated that further hospital hubs will be opened by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust from next week, which will further accelerate the vaccination programme.
The public are encouraged to take up COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become eligible in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination & Immunisation (JCVI) prioritisation.
Quotes from our staff
Graham Calvert, staff vaccinator from LPT:
“It is great to see the team work between our two trusts working so well. Everyone has worked so hard and I feel privileged to be part of the team”.
Avril Eames, waiting list coordinator:
“I work in the hospital everyday so it’s not a scary place for me - but some patients are worried and the vaccine helps towards creating a safer environment for everyone. I can reassure patients who are due to have theirs because I have my own experience now. I can’t wait for everyone to have the chance to get their vaccine. When your chance arrives take it.”
Amanda Townsend, trainee advanced clinical practitioner on gastroenterology
“I work on one of the COVID positive wards and have been lucky enough not to contract the virus so far. Having this vaccine has given me reassurance that I won’t be putting my vulnerable patients or family at risk. I’ve seen healthy people end up in intensive care because of this virus, it’s important people have the vaccine as soon as they’re invited to.”
Editor Notes
Yesterday it was announced that over 380,000 people in the Midlands had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information please contact:Maria O'Brien, Head of Communications
07866 185 667 | maria.obrien@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
