Pharmacy chiefs in talks with Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez about using Casa Hotel as Covid-19 vaccination centre

Pharmacy bosses are in talks with Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez about using Casa Hotel as a Covid-19 vaccination centre.
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Last week, Mr Perez told the Derbyshire Times his hotel on Lockoford Lane could be used ‘now’ as a location to administer the jabs.

Joe Cattee, director of PCT Healthcare, the parent company of Peak Pharmacy, said on Tuesday: “We wholeheartedly support Steve’s vision to have mass Covid vaccination sites readily available within Chesterfield.

Joe Cattee, director of PCT Healthcare, the parent company of Peak Pharmacy.Joe Cattee, director of PCT Healthcare, the parent company of Peak Pharmacy.
Joe Cattee, director of PCT Healthcare, the parent company of Peak Pharmacy.
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“As soon as I read the article in the Derbyshire Times, I rang Steve to discuss.

“While we recognise that nationwide the NHS is working at a fantastic pace to organise mass vaccination centres, as a business we made them aware in December of our desire to be fully involved.

“Across the UK currently only 200 of the 11,000 community pharmacies are directly involved in the national vaccination programme, with none in our locality currently invited but we are working hard to be involved and support our patients.”

NHS chiefs have been urged to give pharmacies – which are used to vaccinating thousands of people against flu each year – more of a role in the mass coronavirus vaccination programme and help lift England out of lockdown as soon as possible.

Steve Perez.Steve Perez.
Steve Perez.
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Mr Cattee added: “Peak Pharmacy stands ready and willing to support the communities of Chesterfield and Derbyshire as a whole.

“Our staff have the skillset and motivation to be involved, having already protected over 30,000 patients with the flu vaccine since October.

“Furthermore, joining force with Steve makes complete sense, given the facilities at Casa Hotel, not least excellent on-site parking.

“Any partnership with Steve to offer a Covid vaccination site would be a huge benefit to the local communities we serve.”

Casa Hotel.Casa Hotel.
Casa Hotel.
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An NHS spokesperson said: “Pharmacies are already working with GPs to deliver the vaccine in many areas of the country.

“As more supply becomes available, community pharmacists able to administer large numbers of vaccine will play a role in the NHS’s phased vaccination programme, the biggest in the health service’s history.”

Mr Perez said: “We’re very keen for PCT Healthcare to use Casa as a vaccination centre – hopefully it will happen soon.

“Casa in an ideal location with great access, we have a big car park and we have lots of rooms and facilities.

Peak Pharmacy on Ashgate Road, Chesterfield.Peak Pharmacy on Ashgate Road, Chesterfield.
Peak Pharmacy on Ashgate Road, Chesterfield.

“Joe’s team has all the expertise.

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“I have many members of staff who would be willing to help out.

“The sooner we can get the people of our community vaccinated against this horrendous virus, the quicker we can get back to normality and doing the things we all love.”

Covid-19 vaccinations are expected to begin at Chesterfield's Winding Wheel later this week.

Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which is managing the vaccine roll-out across the county – will release further details soon.

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The CCG has so far opened nine sites in Derbyshire for the jabs.

A CCG spokesperson said: “Vaccinations will be rolled out to more sites over the coming days and weeks – as the vaccination programme continues to build momentum.”

Vaccinations are all by appointment only.

People should not contact their GP about a vaccination unless asked to do so and they should not attend any vaccination site without an appointment.

Editor’s message

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