Joining forces at LHCH to support the covid vaccine roll out
Military colleagues from the Vaccine Quick Reaction Force, deployed to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for a two week period, are delighted to support its covid vaccine centre and the continuing vaccine roll out across the North West.
Joining forces with the clinical teams at LHCH, the service personnel have been invaluable in vaccinating people from cohorts 1-8 coming through the vaccination centre, as well as sharing their logistical and planning expertise.
In addition to supporting the vaccination team from LHCH and Alder Hey, a number of trainees have also attended LHCH for assessment and validation, prior to being deployed to other vaccination centres across the region.
Capt Katrina Geary (Army) and her team of vaccinators who have helped LHCH, said “Working at LHCH has been fantastic, the staff and service users have been so welcoming and supportive of our military team. Our team have supported the NHS to deliver large volumes of vaccinations to those who need it. We have enjoyed our time here.”
Lt Holly-Jane Thurgood (Royal Navy) leads the Military Quick Reaction Force for the North West and said “We are honoured to work alongside our wonderful NHS. The vaccination programme has and continues to have a significant positive impact in the North West, which is a testament to all of the hard work carried out by the NHS staff, military QRF teams and volunteers. It is a great example of teamwork and wonderful to see the NHS and military personnel working side by side.”
Warrant Officer (Royal Air Force), Maxine Booth, a Military Liaison Officer for the North West Vaccination Task Force expressed her thanks to the North West Reaction Force programme saying: “It’s been such a good experience working alongside NHS colleagues here at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and across the region.”
“I’ve been involved in the regional vaccination programme since day one and watching the whole covid vaccine journey expand and roll out has been so rewarding. The cohesion and teamwork has been outstanding.”
“I’ve got such huge admiration for everyone involved in helping to keep people in the North West safe.”
Lt Ben Eriksen (Army), also a Military Liaison Officer for the North West Vaccination Task, said: “I’ve loved being part of this incredible team working with and learning from NHS colleagues. We’ve been able to build really strong relationships as a team and it’s so satisfying knowing that everybody is working towards the same goal – getting vaccinations to the right locations and protecting communities from Covid.”
Maxine and Ben who provide support to the QRF’s and visit all sites, were also grateful to receive their own first jabs from LHCH’s Ruth Dawson, who has combined her day-to-day role as Head of Education with clinical supervision and leadership in the vaccine centre.
Robin Wiggs, LHCH Vaccine Lead, said he was indebted to the help and support of Lt Thurgood, Lt Eriksen, Warrant Officer Booth and their many other colleagues in recent weeks and thanked them for their ongoing service.
“As we approach the half way point in our own programme and look forward to vaccinating our 20,000th person soon, we have been so grateful to have our military colleagues working alongside us for these 2 weeks. Their professionalism and service has been every bit as outstanding as our LHCH and Alder Hey colleagues.”