Chesterfield’s Walton Hospital to open as Covid-19 vaccination clinic

Vaccinations will start at Walton Hospital on Whitecotes Lane from Monday, with patients able to attend from 12.30pm to 5.30pm for first or second doses.

MORE: Reminder that ‘you are not alone’ after figures show rise in suicides in Derbyshire

Further clinics will also be held on Wednesday and Sunday next week.

Patients can either just walk in for their vaccination or book appointments by calling 119 or visiting the National Booking System website.

A dedicated local booking line will also be open from 9am on Tuesday: 01246 253 030.

Patients without access to a vehicle can use public transport from Chesterfield town centre direct to Walton, including the X17, 39, 51, 2 and 2a buses. Detailed bus route information is available on the Stagecoach website.

The vaccinations will take place in the hospital's Peter McCarthy Suite, which has been extensively repurposed to provide appropriate facilities for staff and patients.

The move to Walton Hospital continues the work done at the Winding Wheel theatre, which now returns to its normal function.

The clinic at Dronfield’s Stubley Medical Centre, the first vaccination site to open in Derbyshire outside of a hospital hub, remains open.

Dr John Pryce, who is clinical lead for the new site, said it was another important moment for the vaccination programme in Chesterfield.

“Walton Hospital is well-known to local people and is an excellent venue for the vaccination clinic, so we hope to see lots of people taking the opportunity to get the vaccination,” he said.

"It is particularly important for those eligible to get both doses, and we are especially keen to vaccinate younger people who have not yet had their vaccination.

“It will help protect them and their families and help get us all back to a more normal way of life."

“A lot of people here at Walton and from many different organisations have worked really hard to get the Peter McCarthy Suite ready to begin vaccinations, so it will be great to get started.”

Anyone who has a query about vaccinations should check the NHS Covid-19 vaccination website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 or call 119 for advice.

Walton Hospital staff cannot answer questions about the vaccination programme by telephone.

MORE: Chesterfield Royal Hospital boss speaks of challenges ahead this winter

Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/subscriptions