Bexhill starts vaccinating housebound residents and ‘on track’ for February target

Dr Binodh C Bhaskaran, speaking to the Bexhill Observer on Tuesday, also said those in the top four categories – over 70s, the clinically vulnerable, care home residents and staff, and housebound patients – are ‘on track’ to receive their first dose of the vaccine by the middle of February, the government’s target.

In Bexhill, these top four categories account for approximately 15,000 people, Dr Bhaskaran said.

Bexhill’s Covid-19 vaccine programme is being carried out at the Sidley Medical Practice and will be vaccinating all patients registered with Collington Surgery, Little Common Surgery, Pebsham Surgery; and Sidley Medical Practice.

The first vaccine in Bexhill was administered on December 29 and in the next three weeks, approximately 7,000 people received their first dose.

Dr Bhaskaran said he can only plan for the week ahead based on the number of vaccines they receive in a single delivery, but he hopes the roughly 15,000 in the top four categories will receive their vaccines by February 15.

Housebound patients in Bexhill started receiving their first jabs on Monday (January 25), after the practice received delivery of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which is easier to administer due to extra flexibility with transportation and storage.

Dr Bhaskaran said 11 housebound patients received their vaccine within two hours. There are approximately 500 housebound patients in Bexhill, he said.

Dr Bhaskaran said: “This is a huge task that can be done at a pace of 10 to 12 people in two to three hours and we have more than 500 who are house bound in Bexhill. So GP Practices will have to support each other in achieving this.

“We are also hoping to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, which offers some flexibility in transportation and storage, from individual practice sites as well. We request our housebound people to consider if they could physically attend their respective surgeries for the vaccination if invited. We are committed to vaccinate everybody eligible for the vaccine. We are on track to vaccinate the 15,000 people in the top four categories by the middle of February.”

Dr Bhaskaran also praised the staff at all four GP practices in Bexhill for the work they are doing, as well as the volunteers and family members of the local GP’s who have provided assistance.

The programme has been widely praised by those who have received their vaccines.

Dr Bhaskaran added: “The whole programme is being run out of sheer hard work and commitment from members of staff, and GPs from all four practices. We have been supported by various volunteers from members of the public and even family members including teenagers and medical students of local GPs and staff.

“A lot of hard work has been undertaken by our practice managers and their administrative staff to arrange clinics and cover them with appropriate staff and invite our people. Clinicians from all practices and their family members have given up personal time and holidays to be part of this programme. One should realise that in spite of staff sickness and absence due to Covid and continued pressures on our services all practices have worked hard to keep this going. We still need ongoing support from everybody for the next few months to complete the vaccination programme.”