Health leaders issue plea for former healthcare professionals to join county’s vaccine teams

Liaison Workforce

From Cheshire CCG:

HEALTH leaders in Cheshire have called on former healthcare professionals to join the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history – on a paid

Following the recent Downing Street briefing, dedicated vaccination teams throughout the county are pulling out all the stops to ensure everyone aged 18 and over is offered the chance to receive their booster before the end of the year.

A key part of the programme’s success continues to be the contribution an army of paid staff and volunteers have made, with many coming out of retirement, redeploying or giving up their spare time to support the cause.

Now, to meet the challenge of the rising Omicron variant, a fresh plea has been made for retired and former healthcare professionals registered with an approved professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC, GDC) to return to the ranks and support the Cheshire Vaccination Bank. The programme is particularly keen to recruit:

• Registered healthcare professionals to dilute, draw up and deliver vaccines to both adults and children. Paid roles are available now within the Children’s Drawing Up and Vaccinator teams, as well as our Seasonal Flu team.
• Registered healthcare professionals to take on non-clinical roles as shift supervisors. You will be responsible for managing workers during their shift, including authorising timesheets, co-ordinating breaks, and supporting clinical staff with any medical emergencies.
• Non-registered clinicians (vaccinators) to train to vaccinate who are not registered or have no clinical experience.

Flexible shifts (from one a week to many more) are available at 37 vaccination sites and pop-up clinics across Cheshire. Find out more and register your interest here.

Health leaders are particularly keen to hear from registered healthcare professionals who’d like to play their part in supporting the programme.

Phil Meakin, Associate Director of Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Many people will have seen the recent briefing from Downing Street regarding the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the need to protect our most vulnerable people and the NHS. Every eligible adult who has had both of their vaccinations more than three months ago is now being asked to come forward for a booster jab.

“We now expect the pressure to increase rapidly on our vaccination centres as we receive both walk-ins and those who had already booked via the national booking system.

“We need to mobilise additional capacity as soon as possible and utilise all available resources and we need the support of retired health professionals or those that have left service to be able to do that.

“Please take a look at the vacancies available on the Cheshire Vaccination Bank website and come and join us if you can, even if you can only support a small number of shifts. Also, please urge former colleagues to come forward and join the vaccination bank if they are able.”

If you are keen to make a difference and support the continued roll-out of the vaccination programme, register and find out more here.

The innovative vaccination bank has brought NHS system partners including the CCG, Integrated Care Partnerships, local councils, 18 Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and 79 GP practices together to deliver the vaccination programme across the area.

To find out how a Vaccination Bank could support your region’s vaccination programme, please get in touch at [email protected]. A bank can be set up in a short time and greatly assist to improve efficiency and management across your rollout.