A boost to community morale
10th January
At 8pm on Sunday 12th December2021, Boris Johnson addressed the nation. …“I am afraid we are now facing an emergency in our battle with the new variant, Omicron. … Today we are launching the Omicron Emergency Boost, a national mission unlike anything we have done before in the vaccination programme…. Everyone eligible aged 18 and over in England will have the chance to get their booster before the New Year.” All my Primary Care colleagues heard this announcement at the same time as the rest of the country.
This could be considered an almost impossible task. How could General Practice continue to look after all of its patients safely and deliver this, perceivably, insurmountable request? In reality, there is very little routine work we can safely set aside. During the lockdowns, my practice took the decision to continue children’s immunisations, 6 week checks and postnatal checks. We did not stop our contraceptive services or smear tests. We called every one of our care homes each week and we still do. The majority of our appointments are not pre-booked, but instead are driven by patient contact. Most of what General Practice does each day cannot be displaced or put off, especially as appointment demand is at least 20% above pre-pandemic levels. Initially, we agreed that, unfortunately, the time and resources were not available to assist with this enhanced immunisation programme.
However, I made the personal decision to set up a pop-up booster clinic for the week before Christmas. This meant I had to give up my long overdue annual leave and that I did not get to be with my children on Christmas day. I know that many of my colleagues across the country will have made very similar sacrifices. My goal was to get as many people vaccinated in the community as possible without disrupting the day to day working of the surgery. However, such an endeavour cannot be achieved single-handedly. The activity and efforts that ensued for the next two weeks were heart-warming and uplifting. At a time when most of us working on the front line, from administrative teams to medical teams, are exhausted; I was so proud to see our staff go the extra mile. My Practice Manager Scott Lavocah and Care Administration and Covid Manager Charlotte Deeprose-Shepheard pulled out all the stops.
But the effort wasn’t solely limited to the surgery; there were other members of our local community that played their part. Helen Johnson, the Parish Council Clerk made it possible for me to use the Heathfield Community Centre at short notice. Several pre-bookings for the community hall unfortunately had to be cancelled and I am grateful to those who graciously accommodated this request. However, I did not wish for the already booked child flu clinic to be disrupted. So, I worked with the School Immunisation Lead Nurse Cathy Wilkins, so that both clinics could run side by side. This was a great example of communication and teamwork from two different sectors of the community.
Another member of our community that came to our aid was the local MP, Huw Merriman. It has to be said, that through this pandemic, politicians and the medical profession have found it hard to see eye to eye on many matters. However, on a local level it has not been difficult to engage with Mr Merriman who has been willing to listen and be proactive. On this occasion he worked with the local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) to help us secure much needed redeployed staff to help support the running of the clinic. Thanks go to Andy Cheung, Diana Kellett and Lisa Burgess who temporarily joined our team. Mr Merriman also volunteered his time to man the carpark, in the cold and wet for two separate days and kept the team hydrated with many, much needed, teas and coffees. Members of our Patient Participation Group also volunteered their time. Barry Simons, Ruth James, Jackie Wood and George Radanov braved the cold and the wet to ensure safety in the carpark and the social distancing of the queues. Another member of the community, Leah Keen also stepped up to help with temperature checks and the general running of the clinics.
All this hard work, dedication and sacrifice was not in vain. In fact, everyone’s efforts resulted in over 1100 people from the Heathfield community and surrounding areas being boosted or indeed receiving first or second doses of vaccine in just five days. I think that this proves that community spirit is still alive and kicking despite the ongoing anguish of the unabating pandemic. However, this goodwill must not be taken for granted and I ask the powers that be to consider better resources and planning so that resentment and bitterness does not stifle future efforts.
My heartfelt thanks go to the Heathfield & Firs Covid Vaccination Team: Scott Lavocah, Charlotte Deeprose-Shepheard, Kim Tucker, Jen Wallis, Claire Taggart, Jane Rowland, Esther Clark, Karen Waudby, Mandy Mugridge.
Dr Sarah Jacques, GP Partner
Heathfield & Firs Surgery
