The Forest of Dean Covid Vaccination Centre in Cinderford has now been operational for nearly 2 weeks and over 3000 vaccinations have been given. Behind the scenes a tremendous amount of work is being carried out by your local surgeries and those staff working at the Centre. They are ensuring patients are booked into available slots and that patients experience a smooth route through the Centre when they have their vaccination. Patient feedback has been incredibly positive so far.
A small army of ex-healthcare professionals has been recruited and all work on a rotational basis giving the vaccine. They are supported by non-clinical staff carrying out the on-site administration with on-site lead Nurse and GP for day-to-day management.
A roving team of vaccinators started visiting all the CQC registered Care Homes in the Forest of Dean on 7 January 2021 vaccinating patients and staff. Their work will be completed by Wednesday 13 January 2021 – another amazing effort!
The Forest of Dean Primary Care Network is also planning a vaccination programme for the Dean’s housebound patients which commences on Thursday 14 January 2021. Housebound patients will be contacted by their Surgery over the coming weeks with more details.
The vaccination of the first cohort (over 80’s) is nearing completion so Surgeries are now starting to contact and book the next cohort of 75 – 79 year olds – please wait for the call, please do not ring your Surgery unless you have been asked by them to do so. This is really important as Surgeries are under pressure with high workloads and are managing the booking of Covid vaccinations separately.
The Vaccination Centre for the Forest of Dean is at the old Cinderford Health Centre, Dockham Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AN, next to the large Co-op. Vaccination will continue to be delivered from there only – not at your local GP Surgery.
Shout out and huge thanks to all the great staff working in Forest of Dean Surgeries and at the Vaccination Centre who are making this work so successfully. Thanks also to all Dean’s patients for their support too!