This week saw the first Covid-19 vaccines being administered in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire as part of the national Pfizer vaccine roll-out across the UK.
All NHS organisations and partners across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have been preparing for the roll-out of the vaccine for a number of weeks. Following the vaccine getting the green light from regulators last week, staff have been working around the clock to manage the huge scale logistical challenge of deploying the vaccine and administering it to the public.
The bed occupancy in our hospitals remains below 400 this week, showing that measures in place are helping to reduce the numbers of cases in our hospitals. However, we are still seeing 25% more patients in our hospitals than at the April peak.
The number one way that people can help to lower this number is to follow the local Tier 3 (Very High) lockdown rules which came into force on 2nd December – stay at home if you can, do not mix households and follow hands/face/space.
Dr Andy Haynes, Executive Lead, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System, said: “This week has seen vaccinations start to be rolled out across Nottingham’s hospitals which is an important moment in the fight against the virus. This would not have been possible without the incredible amount of hard work and planning by colleagues across the system so I would like to thank everyone for their continued hard work.
“This is a very significant step in the right direction but we shouldn’t be under any illusion that the vaccination programme will take some time to complete. In the meantime, we still need the public to follow the latest guidance and adhere to the restrictions. Our hospital numbers are reflecting this and they continue to stabilise.
“The public have an important part to play in this next stage, we need you to continue to be safe and vigilant and follow the guidelines and we also need you to be patient. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to be vaccinated; please don’t contact the NHS for an appointment. When you do receive an appointment, please make sure you attend.”
The NHS is here for you and so if you are concerned about a new lump or mole or have any other health issues then please get in touch with your GP or in an emergency call 999. If you are unsure which service you need, call 111 or go to 111 Online who will advise you on the best service for your needs.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste, then get a test by calling 119 or go online to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
The best way that we can all help with the situation is by following the national lockdown restrictions but remember that healthcare is a specific exemption – so if you are ill please get in touch like you would usually and stick to your appointments unless you hear otherwise.
