Dawlish Community Hospital is one of six other GP-run vaccination centers to open across the county,
People in more areas of Devon will start receiving the coronavirus vaccine in the coming days as the newest centers to start appointments bring the total to 14.
More are expected to open soon to ensure everyone who is eligible for vaccination.
Medical centers are working in groups to set up the local vaccination centers, with the 14 centers serving 85 of the county ‘s treatment centers.
As well as using NHS areas as surgeries, some local vaccination centers are opening in more unusual locations. The next six open include a vaccination center at Plymouth Pavilions that will serve 23 practices in the city.
Local people are still being reminded not to speak to their GP surgery or hospital to ask about an appointment time – the NHS will contact you when it is yours.
The latest venues to open in Devon are:
• Beacon, Plympton
• Clare House, Tiverton
• Dawlish Community Hospital
• Holsworthy Medical Center
• The Pavilions, Plymouth
• St. Leonard’s Practice, Exeter
The centers in Dawlish and Plympton are expected to start vaccination on Monday (December 21) with the others starting on Friday and (today) Saturday.
Dr Rosalind Wardle, senior partner at Ruby Country Medical Group in Holsworthy, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer this life-saving vaccine to people in our local communities from Saturday.
‘Our teams have been working day and night to make sure we are ready to start vaccinating people as soon as our vaccine arrives.
‘We would like to thank all those who have been waiting patiently to contact them for the invitation. We work through our patient lists in order of priority, as outlined in the national guidelines, and will communicate with everyone who qualifies in a timely manner. ‘
Dr Elizabeth Cowan, a GP at Barton Surgery in Dawlish, said: ‘It is very exciting to offer the coronavirus vaccine here in Dawlish.
‘It not only enables us to provide a much needed service to our patients locally, but also the ability to tailor the service to meet the needs of our community. .
The Dawlish and Teignmouth surgeries are working closely with the team at Dawlish Hospital to set up the service and it has been a great opportunity to work together.
“Everyone has put a stop to things to get things done so quickly and we know that our community is really benefiting from the hard work that has already been done, and they will continue to do so. going through the running of the vaccine delivery program. ”
At Plymouth Pavilions, the vaccine center will use the ice rink reception and parts of the ice rink area. Plymouth Pavilions chief executive Sarah Phillips said: “In the global fight against coronavirus we have seen so many people and organizations move back and forth to do their part where possible. , we are delighted to be in a position to take our journey by offering our unique building as a vaccine center. ”
The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is complex to deliver, with each site required to meet strict freezer storage requirements, ample space for patient observation areas after vaccination, staffing levels to ensure safety and activity maintain normal running routine, and ability to run centers for seven days. per week, as required.
The measures mean that not all health centers can be used to deliver the vaccine, but the NHS in Devon is working hard to open more centers across the county.
The centers will see nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff working with doctors to vaccinate people over 80 and care home staff, who have been identified as priority groups for vaccination. which saves lives.
The eight sites that started vaccinating patients earlier in the week included the Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Center where Jean Copeland, 89, and Jim Copeland, 90, from Exmouth were among those involved. first to receive the injection.
They said: ‘We are delighted to have received the vaccine and it should be available.
‘We don’t want the virus, especially at our age, it has killed a lot of people. ‘
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