Covid Vaccine Roll Out for the Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean Primary Care Network which is made up of 11 GP Practices in the Forest of Dean is working at pace to implement plans to commence vaccinating the local population. Plans are moving quickly and we are asking patients not to contact their GP Surgery.

One Forest Hub is being established to deliver the Pzifer BioNTec Covid-19 vaccine from Tuesday 22nd December 2020 using the spare rooms vacated by the Practices at Cinderford Health Centre, Dockham Road (by large Cinderford Co-op). Patients will be contacted and invited in for the vaccine. There remains some uncertainty about the vaccine delivery schedule that week so some patients may be called at short notice to attend in the afternoon of Monday 21 December – this is yet to be confirmed.

The vaccine will be offered out in the groups approved by NHS England, for example, the over 80’s first. At this stage, patients will not be vaccinated at their own Surgery; they must attend the clinic at Cinderford Health Centre (next to Co-op) at their pre-booked time/date. Patients will be invited to make two appointments 21 days apart and are urged to stick to these appointments (and must be at least 7 days after receiving the seasonal flu vaccine).

Due to the volume of people to immunise, we are asking that everyone:

  • Arrives on time, not early for their appointments
  • Park at Cinderford Rugby Club where possible, and walk to the Clinic
  • Follow social distancing when queuing and wears a face mask

The response to last week’s advert for volunteer healthcare practitioners has been amazing and volunteers are being contacted. The Clinic will be run by a Care Co-ordinator and a GP will be on site daily as well as the many volunteers to give the vaccines, provide admin support and navigate the car park with those arriving. We are working closely with Cinderford Co-op, Cinderford Rugby Club and assisted by the local police and fire service. All have been very supportive and we thank them and our volunteers for their co-operation.

The Forest’s GP Surgeries will continue to operate as they are now, open to patients and continuing to offer online, telephone, video and face to face appointments. Patients are urged to follow the current process in place for contacting their Surgery. Remember, if you have any Coronavirus symptoms then please cancel all appointments either at your Surgery or for your Covid-19 vaccine. Please do not come into a Surgery or the vaccine Clinic.

Thank you to all our patients for their support during this busy time; please keep an eye on your Surgery website or Facebook page for changing details and news updates in the Forester.