PRESS RELEASE: 6th August
Woodhatch Place vaccination site in Reigate welcomed the new Chief Executive of the NHS, Amanda Pritchard, this week. The site tour marked Amanda’s first official visit since taking up the post, during which she urged young people to get the Covid jab.
Her message follows the release of data that demonstrates patients aged 18-34 made up more than 20% of those admitted to hospital last month, up from close to one in 20 – 5.4% – at the peak of the winter wave in January.
On hand to welcome Amanda to the site were representatives from Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership and CCG and the Alliance for Better Care (ABC) GP federation. The Alliance for Better Care team, who manage the centre as part of Surrey Heartlands and run six other vaccination sites locally, offered insight into the running of the vaccination centre which launched on 17th December and has administered more than 49,000 vaccination doses to date.
As well as facilitating a vaccination clinic, the team at Woodhatch Place were also showcasing a new pilot scheme that allows patients to access a health check while onsite. Blood pressure, pulse and BMI are all measured and patients answer lifestyle questions, before patients’ results are shared with their GP. Following the tour of the vaccination clinic, Amanda also met other NHS staff from Surrey Heartlands CCG and local GP practices.
NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said:
“Thank you to everyone who welcomed me on my first visit as NHS Chief Executive; who took the time to talk me through the vital work going on here in Reigate, and the big difference all those involved are making for their community. It was great to see how partners across the whole community are working together – they are right to be proud of what they have achieved. Not only have the fantastic GPs, volunteers and other NHS staff at Surrey Heartlands and Alliance for Better Care administered almost 50,000 vaccines but they are looking at offering health checks on site, as part of their drive to make every contact count, to improve people’s wellbeing and tackle health inequalities. My message to people in Surrey and everywhere in the country is simple: if you’ve not yet had your jab, now is the time to get it, to protect yourself and your loved ones against Covid.”
Professor Claire Fuller, Senior Responsible Officer for Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership said:
“We are delighted Amanda chose Surrey Heartlands and our vaccination clinic at Woodhatch in Reigate for her first official visit. This clinic, hosted at Surrey County Council HQ, is a great example of how we are all working in partnership to deliver this life-saving vaccination programme, and I continue to be amazed by the tremendous efforts made by everyone involved.”
Dr Pramit Patel, ABC founder and GP and Surrey Heartlands ICS Primary Care Network Lead said:
“It was a privilege to host Amanda at our Woodhatch Place site for her first official visit in her new role. The day allowed us to showcase the incredible work of the ABC team and see our health check pilot in action. We’re extremely proud of this collaborative effort and continue to work hard to ensure everyone within our communities is afforded equal access to the vaccine.”
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