SALFORD CONTINUES TO FIGHT BACK AS ALL CARE HOMES IN THE CITY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

As vaccinations against coronavirus continue around the city in what is undoubtedly the largest vaccination drive in history, it is revealed that all care home residents in Salford who were willing to get the vaccine have now been given the COVID-19 vaccine, ahead of schedule.

The milestone was reached on 22nd January 2021, two days ahead of the national target to vaccinate all residents of Salford’s 34 care homes by 24th January 2021.

Dr. Nick Browne, GP at Gill Medical Centre in Walkden and a clinical lead for Salford’s vaccination programme said:

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‘’I'm pleased to announce that Salford has vaccinated everyone in nursing homes. We should be able to expect that this will have saved at least 50 lives. This is due to the hard work of all the doctors, nurses and administrative staff who are part of team who led on this. We will continue until we have vaccinated all eligible people who want to have the vaccine. Please be patient as the teams involved work around the city.’’

Salford Primary Care Together, an organisation which supports GP practices across the city to work more closely together, is running the vaccination service on behalf of the city in partnership with Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This arrangement is ensuring that GPs in Salford do not have to step down their routine work to staff the vaccination services, as has been the case in other parts of the country.

Dr Dawood Anwar, Salford Primary Care Together’s Clinical Lead Urgent Care said:

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‘Our vaccination programme is moving at pace offering vaccinations to the most vulnerable and at risk groups, as per the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance. The effort has been supported by colleagues across the wider system including Salford CCG, general practice staff, Salford City Council and volunteers without whom this would not have been possible. Seeing the appreciation and gratitude of patients has been a very humbling experience for all involved. We would like thank everyone who has been involved in this vaccination programme.’’

Louise Smith, Practice Manager at Care Homes Medical Practice said:

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“The staff in each care home have been very helpful in assisting the vaccination team to ensure the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible.  Huge thanks to our team who really are doing such an amazing job. They have been working tirelessly to make this happen and their dedication is outstanding.”

Priority groups for vaccination in this initial phase is determined by the Government following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and starts with care home residents and their carers, people aged 80 years old and over, and frontline health and social care workers.

Salford CCG has now also started to vaccinate people over the age of 80 who are living in their own houses and unable to reach a vaccination hub.