A new milestone has been reached in the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Altrincham.
All housebound residents registered to GPs in the Altrincham Healthcare Alliance Primary Care Network have now been offered the coronavirus vaccine.
And from Saturday January 23, clinics also began vaccinating patients in the ‘clinically vulnerable’ priority level.
Having spent the pandemic fighting breast cancer, patient Kathryn Walsh described receiving her COVID-19 vaccination as ‘a ray of hope’.
The mother-of-three has been shielding for much of the pandemic while undergoing chemotherapy and said: “I’d love to be able to hug all my family and friends who’ve been supporting me through my cancer journey. Shielding’s tough, but I feel so blessed to have been confined with my family – so many others are facing tough challenges alone.
“I’m hopeful that the vaccine marks the start of a new chapter and a chance to embrace life once more.”
Kathryn was one of more than 1,700 patients vaccinated over two days (January 21 and January 23) by Altrincham Healthcare Alliance PCN.
Dr Maz Sangha, of St Johns Medical Practice, Altrincham, also celebrated delivering more than 850 vaccine doses in a single day.
He tweeted: “Twenty clinicians vaccinating all 212 housebound patients in one day. Also vaccinating over 650 patients on site. Just give us the vaccines and we can deliver.”
Dr Sangha was disappointed, however, to discover he’d only be receiving 800 doses of the jab to see him through the entirety of this week (beginning Monday January 25).
The GP Partner and PCN director tweeted on Friday January 22: “So frustrating, 1,600 vaccinated this week, just getting 800 next week but a couple of local PCNs getting zero. Apologies to our patients but nothing we can do.”
He added: “It’s hard for the patients as they are eager to receive the vaccine as quickly as possible. We contact them as soon as the vaccine supply is confirmed to us: which can often be at short notice.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and reassure them that we are committed to working non-stop to enable our patients to have the vaccine as soon as possible.”
Among the housebound residents vaccinated this week was 92-year-old William Farrington and his wife, Hazel, from Altrincham.
William said: “We’re thrilled to get the vaccine. Family’s everything to us: we speak every day even with children living abroad. I’m 93 in April and really hope this vaccine allows people to get out again and celebrate life to the full.”
Dr Sangha said he continues to be ‘overwhelmed by the support’ and ‘fantastic teamwork’ of the primary care network.
He added: “This is a joint effort and I applaud each person involved. Everyone’s working together tirelessly to deliver the vaccine to patients of five GP practices.
“Our patients have been incredible: their continued messages of thanks and incredibly supportive comments has been very humbling and is very much appreciated.”
