Vaccination team receive recognition from Queen's representative
Bury St Edmunds MP Jo Churchill (left) and members of the award winning Covid-19 vaccination team at West Suffolk Hospital. - Credit: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Vaccination staff at West Suffolk Hospital have been recognised for their contribution to the local community with an award from the Queen's representative in Suffolk.
Earlier this year the hospital set up a pop-up vaccination clinic on its site to help ensure local health and social care staff got the life-saving Covid vaccination.
Ambulance crews, care home workers, opticians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, funeral directors, supply chain staff, and social workers were among the more than 16,000 people that received a vaccination at the centre in the first round, alongside some vulnerable patients referred by local GPs.
After a couple of weeks' pause, the vaccination clinic started up again on Monday, March 15 to start giving out second dose of jabs, to maximise the protection given by the vaccine.
The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk award certificate presented to the vaccination team at West Suffolk Hospital - Credit: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
These efforts have now been recognised with a Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk Award, issued by HM Lord Lieutenant Clare, Countess of Euston, and High Sherriff of Suffolk Bridget McIntyre MBE.
You may also want to watch:
In the letter she wrote granting the certificate, the Countess said: "I would like thank you for the contribution you have made during the extraordinary and difficult circumstances caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Your selflessness and sense of duty are a credit to you.
"The innovation, collaboration, courage, and generosity shown by so many across the county during this time has been truly inspiration and uplifting.
Most Read
- 1 Government plans at-home tablet to 'stop the virus in its tracks'
- 2 Helen McCrory was 'a meteor in our life' says husband Damian Lewis
- 3 Jailed in Suffolk: Why these criminals were put behind bars this week
- 4 George Burley: Ipswich fans' dreams would have been shattered by a European Super League
- 5 Petition launched to fight planned sale of land at Belle Vue House and former pool
- 6 Woman, 18, hit in the face and pushed during attempted street robbery
- 7 The 20 places in Suffolk that recorded the most coronavirus cases this week
- 8 Cannabis plants worth £100,000 seized from Suffolk house
- 9 First pictures: Which Suffolk pubs are preparing to reopen on April 12?
- 10 Warning to drinkers ahead of first weekend of pub gardens reopening
"Our vaccination centres are beacons of hope and comfort to thousands of people. Thank you for the huge amount of work you have all done to help protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
"You are a shining example of all that is best in this county."
The work was made possible by the dedicated efforts of staff from across West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, including nursing and medical staff administering the vaccines, the pharmacy team handling the Pfizer vaccine and its stringent transport and storage rules, IT developers and the information team creating a brand new booking, administration, and reporting system, and estates and procurement transforming the executive office suite into the pop-up clinic.
Trust chief executive Steve Dunn said: "I send my greatest gratitude and thanks to all of the team for the never-ending professionalism and dedication that they have shown to both healthcare colleagues and members of the community, in delivering the vaccination programme here at the trust.
"Both myself and my fellow board members are truly overwhelmed by the commitment and contribution to this service."
Staff from the administration teams and the trust's loyal volunteers also stepped up to provide support and stewarding to ensure a smooth experience for all people being vaccinated.
