COVID-19 vaccination hubs run by North Cumbria Integrated Care have closed their doors.
The closure marks the end of the trust’s role in delivering COVID-19 vaccines to thousands of its workers, as well as members of the public – although it will still provide vaccines to inpatients when required.
Teams from departments including pharmacy, nursing, occupational health, IT, estates and facilities, procurement and people services sprang into action late in December 2020 when WCH became one of the first sites in the country to begin delivering the vital vaccine to front line health care workers and the over-80s.
Since then, teams have collaborated to roll out the vaccine programme. The programme has delivered first and second doses of the jab as well as booster doses.
Paul Fieldhouse, clinical director of pharmacy, said: “It’s been a monumental team effort, the hospital hubs have been an essential part of the national vaccination programme.
“Teams from across NCIC have worked collaboratively and demonstrated ambition throughout the programme. I want to take the time to thank each person who has helped to deliver this crucial programme, you have all been key in the success of our hospital hubs.”
Jill Forster, chief nurse, said: “The hard work and dedication from staff across the trust, from those who set up the hubs, working behind the scenes to run it, to the front-of-house staff, the vaccinators themselves, the pharmacy team – has been incredible. I’m so proud of them all and I hope they’re proud of themselves.”
Natalie Peat, pharmacy site operations lead at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, added: “It’s been a privilege for all of us to be involved in the vaccine roll-out, the work between departments has been central to its success and something we will all miss very much. This project is one we’ll never forget and will always be proud to have been part of.”
Dean Oliver, executive director of performance, met with some of the team at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary. He said: “I wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for all the tremendous work that you’ve done here over the last two years. It’s the end of an era and you’ve played a huge part in getting us here. So on behalf of the executives and the board; thank you.”
The community COVID-19 vaccine programme is still underway, with those eligible for the spring booster and children aged five to 11 recently added to the programme.
You can find out more about who is eligible and community venues for vaccination here: https://northcumbriaccg.nhs.uk/covidvaccine
As well as those newly eligible, anyone who has previously declined the offer of a vaccination is welcome to book.
The national booking system can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
