Covid 19 Vaccination Programme – SMASH PCN
A partnership of seven GP practices has opened its first Covid-19 vaccination centre, with a second to follow soon.
Following a successful inspection, The Thirteen Club, in Cedar Road, Alsager, is now ready to receive and administer vaccines. This means that patients registered at Merepark, Green Moss, Haslington and Cedars Medical Centres will be notified of their first vaccination appointments very soon.
A vaccination centre for patients registered at Ashfields, Oaklands, and Waters Edge Medical Centres will follow imminently.
The centres are being set up and managed by the SMASH Primary Care Network (PCN) made up of the following GP practices: Merepark Medical Centre, Greenmoss Medical Centre, Cedars Medical Centre, Ashfields Primary Care Centre, Oaklands Medical Centre, Waters Edge Medical Centre and Haslington Surgery.
The PCN is working closely with NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Cheshire East Council.
In line with NHS guidance, the first vaccines will be offered to patients over 80 years old, and residents of care homes. This is how we will be prioritising the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr Neil Paul, lead clinician for Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager, Scholar Green and Haslington areas known as SMASH PCN, said:
“When it’s your time to receive your vaccine, you will receive an invitation to come forward. Please don’t turn up at the site unless you have an appointment, and please don’t contact your practice to make an appointment, we will contact you when it’s time. We will notify you as soon as we are ready to proceed.
“We are very pleased that the vaccine is finally being delivered, this is the news we have been waiting for. Everyone has been working hard behind the scenes to make sure we can deliver the Covid vaccination programme safely and effectively”
“It’s important though, to realise that vaccines will be limited to priority groups at this early stage. First invitations will go out to people aged 80 and above”
“While you are waiting for your turn, please follow the rules of the national lockdown that started in England at midnight on Tuesday (5 January).We wish everyone the very best for 2021 and please keep safe”.
Dr Andrew Wilson, clinical chair of NHS Cheshire CCG, said: “The availability of two vaccines gives us all confidence of a return to something approaching normality in 2021. The NHS in Cheshire is pulling out all the stops to accelerate the vaccination programme.
“The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn for the vaccine. In the meantime, please continue protecting the NHS and saving lives by staying home and avoiding all non-essential travel.”
If you would like to volunteer to help out at your local vaccination centre, or for further enquiries please contact:
Denise Smith, SMASH PCN Practice Manager Lead
Denise.Smith24@nhs.net