Health chiefs issue important statement after concerns raised over social distancing outside Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel vaccination site

An elderly man contacted the Derbyshire Times to voice his worries after he attended the site with his wife on Saturday so she could get her first coronavirus jab.

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The man, who asked not to be identified, said: “On reaching the building for her appointment, what we saw horrified us – the queue went from the door of the Winding Wheel right back and on to Durrant Road.

“There was no social distancing – it was impossible to keep apart – and according to my wife it was no better inside.

“She said it resembled a cattle market and was not a nice experience.”

He added: “We are both in our 70s and have not been to a supermarket since last March.

“I still am waiting for my vaccination – but on seeing what it was like for my wife and hundreds of others, I will consider whether or not it’s safe to go in that environment.”

A spokesperson for NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The Winding Wheel is a busy Covid-19 vaccination site, providing life-saving vaccines to hundreds of people every day.

“The team there is very experienced at managing the busy schedule, with queues moving quickly even when they do extend along the path.

“Saturday was another busy day, and the queue was long.

“However, the line moved quickly, and each person took just two to three minutes to receive their vaccination once they entered the vaccination site.

“The GP practices running the site have had generally excellent feedback from the public about the professionalism of the team, and the smoothness of the procedure inside the Winding Wheel.

“However, we do recognise that for people who have been isolated during lockdown, the busy environment may be disconcerting and we ask for patience and understanding.

“In order to keep queues as short as possible, we ask that people arrive no more than five minutes before their appointment and should not bring other people with them unless absolutely necessary.

“People should not attend without an appointment and, if possible, should also bring the letter or text inviting them.

“While the marshals will do their best to assist, it is the responsibility of everyone in a queue to observe social distancing rules outside the vaccination site.

“The experienced staff, drawn from several different NHS organisations, will use their discretion to help where they can.”

According to the latest NHS England data, the total number of first Covid-19 doses given in Derbyshire up to January 24 was 118,977. This figure was 67,010 the previous week.

Just over 82 per cent of Derbyshire people aged 80 and over have now had their first dose – compared to a national average of 80 per cent.

By February 15, the Government aims to have offered a first vaccine dose to everyone in the top four priority groups – care home residents and workers, frontline health and social care staff, all those aged over-70 and the extremely clinically vulnerable – which amounts to around 240,000 people in Derbyshire.

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Editor’s message

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription at www.localsubsplus.co.uk or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.