The Sid Valley practice’s successful Covid vaccination roll out is continuing at pace.
Dr Ross Dell explained: “Our practice team are vaccinating people in cohorts one to nine of the NHS national campaign.
“This means people aged 50 and over as well as certain groups under 50 - for example carers and people with some long term conditions.
“A first vaccine has been given to around 9,000 patients at the Beacon Medical Centre or the Exmouth vaccination centre and we have achieved 95.1 percent uptake, which is fantastic. “We’ve all seen how well the South West has done compared to other areas and feel a sense of pride in this. Sidmouth achieved national recognition earlier this year when its position was highlighted in national newspapers.
“Teams of vaccinators have now vaccinated patients in all care homes and are continuing to vaccinate housebound residents.”
Dr Dell added: “We are now at around half way through the second vaccines, so we’ve given around 5,000 of these so far. For each vaccine given, we still have to phone each person and book the appointment. This process continues to prove a massive challenge for our fantastic office team. This week alone, we are booking over 1,000 appointments and in a week when we have a bank holiday coming up so we are under extra pressure.
“I want to thank our patients for being so understanding over how difficult it can be to get through to us because of these additional vaccine booking calls we are making, every day. “We are in a busy period over the next few weeks with over 1,000 vaccine bookings next week as well, but by the end of May we will still be vaccinating but the huge numbers will begin to reduce. I hope as we approach the end of the second vaccines. This will make life easier for us and our patients.”
If you need help or advice from the medical practice please start by looking at the website before phoning the centre.
https://www.sidvalleypractice.nhs.uk/
Dr Dell said: “If you need to contact us please use eConsult if you are able to. It will really help us by taking pressure off the telephone system whilst we complete this important vaccination process.”