Derbyshire opens three new Covid vaccination sites

The three new sites, in Derby, Hatton and Horsley Woodhouse, have all been taking bookings from patients who are contacted via the national booking system.

The sites are part of a system which encompasses 15 existing GP-led sites across the county, the vaccination centre at Derby Arena and hospital hubs at Royal Derby Hospital and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Each of the new sites is led by a local pharmacy team but does not carry out vaccinations in the pharmacy itself.

The vaccination teams are working in community facilities, including Ikhlas Community Centre in the Derby suburb of Normanton, Jubilee Hall in Hatton and Horsley Woodhouse Church Hall.

All vaccinations require an appointment through the national booking system

Aftab Rehman, lead pharmacist at Pear Tree Pharmacy, which is running the site at Ikhlas Community Centre, has welcomed the new phase of the vaccination programme.

He said: “The Pear Tree pharmacy team is really pleased to be able to support the national rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.

"It is really important for the local people of Derby to be able to have this service available in the heart of their community.

“I urge everyone who is invited to have the vaccine that they should book for the coronavirus vaccination on the NHS website.

"I would also urge everyone to take this opportunity to take the vaccination and protect themselves and those around them.”

In Horsley Woodhouse, pharmacist and Amber Pharmacy owner Baldev Raj Bange said he was delighted to be able to start delivering vaccinations.

He said: “It is great that Horsley Woodhouse is at the heart of this epic campaign.

"To proactively drive this via a pharmacy-led proposition is truly awesome.”

“There is a real buzz in the team here at Amber Pharmacy, and we’re excited to be starting vaccinations after all the work everyone here and in our partner organisations has put in.”

“Everyone has worked incredibly hard, and it’s a proud moment to get patients through the door and start vaccinating the highest priority people. This is a great moment for the team and for the whole community.”

“We know many people want to get their vaccinations as quickly as possible and everyone is working hard to make that happen.

"Please help us to run an efficient process and connect via the national booking system to obtain an appointment.”

Lindsey Fairbrother is superintendent pharmacist at Good Life Pharmacy in Hatton, and she paid tribute to the huge amount of work being done by the whole community to set up the site at Jubilee Hall.

She said: “We’re delighted to be opening up this site, as it will provide a new option for patients to receive their Covid-19 vaccination.

“So many people here have worked incredibly hard, with support from our partner agencies and the local community, to get this site set up.

"That includes the local volunteer group, the Hatton Helpers, Hatton Parish Council and the church.

"This is a community-led operation run by pharmacists with the support of other health care professionals, vaccinators and marshals.

“We’re looking forward to carrying out these vaccinations for as many people as possible.”