Chair of Devon Clinical Commissioning Group to present the issues and key messages to include current NHS pressures, the rollout of the mass vaccination programme and communications.
Minutes:
The Chair of Devon Clinical Commissioning Group presented the issues surrounding current NHS pressures, the rollout of the mass vaccination programme and relevant communications.
NHS pressures had stabilised since the last peak which saw cases in excess of the first wave. Hospitals now had better management of treating symptoms effectively and were screening staff, patients and visitors more often. They were currently trying to balance the needs of COVID and Non-COVID emergencies and patients.
The Nightingale Hospital was now open and had 32 COVID patients being cared for at this setting; taking some pressure off hospitals. However, there was still a strain on staffing, with a number of absences due to having COVID or isolating as being a contact. Regular screening of staff in all hospitals was taking place.
The national vaccination programme was already up and running in Devon. It was important to highlight the increase in the number of over 80’s getting coronavirus, and the need to reinforce to the public that they were in the high risk group and needed to be targeted in first wave of vaccinations. There was a learning process of the rollout, many logistical challenges with this vaccine, especially having to keep it stored at certain temperatures making transporting the vaccine extremely difficult.
Vaccination Programme – 50 Hospital hubs went live across the Country – Plymouth was the first Hub in Devon. In Devon, 55 individuals were vaccinated on day 1, and a further 90 were vaccinated yesterday; these included the highly vulnerable and care staff. Supply of the vaccine was currently limited and only had a 5-day shelf life.
The next phase was to roll out the vaccine to the primary care sector, including care home staff and over 80s. The first 8 sites in Devon were to be announced tomorrow and would receive vaccines next week, each delivering over 900 doses. It was noted that primary care staff had been excellent in stepping up to deliver the vaccination rollout.
Once the vaccine could be transported safely, the rollout would be widened across the County. Two large scale sites had been identified in Devon (1 Plymouth and 1 Exeter) – and would be announced early next week. There had been no issues reported in Devon around booking systems and the rollout of the vaccine was being delivered on plan as requested by NHS England.
The Board was advised that in order to provide reassurance and monitoring of those receiving the vaccine, follow up appointments and checks were taking place, with individuals returning after 21 days for a second injection, at the same site, to ensure all information was captured and recorded. Feedback from the first individuals in Plymouth had been very positive.
The NHS was also working with primary care sites to implement similar models across other areas of Devon. The geographical isolation in the North of County made transporting the vaccine difficult.
NHS Communication messages had also been going out at the same time, to provide reassurance and advice around the vaccination process. Briefing notes from National NHS teams were being disseminated across all partners and webinars for Health and Social Care staff were also taking place and had a positive attendance. A survey was currently taking place to understand people’s perceptions of the vaccination in Devon.