Doctor Anil Mehta administers a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to a homeless person at the homeless accommodation YMCA in Romford (credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A team from the Fullwell Cross Medical Centre gave 146 people the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at the YMCA, in Rush Green Road, on Wednesday, 3 February.
GPs Anil Mehta and Sonia Dhillon, and practice nurse Ellie Bull carried out the vaccinations, with practice manager Andrew Watson and PA to the practice team Natasha Taylor registering all those who chose to have the vaccine.
YMCA’s director of housing, Brian Cook, said it is very good news as staff have been regularly providing a 24 hour service, seven days a week, throughout the pandemic.
“The demand on our service increased by 80 per cent, especially around those people who are street homeless so it is quite a challenge for us to do that and if our service was to shut down or was restricted by Covid it would have been absolutely devastating for those people who need us the most,” said Brian.
“Keeping our staff and our residents safe since March was our main concern, a big concern and something we worked really hard to contain. It has been a battle but the vaccine has given us this fighting chance.”
The delivery of the vaccines is thanks to the Partnership for East London Co-operatives (PELC), a not-for-profit organisation which aims to provide quality out-of-hours GP services for their local communities.
Bridget Quinlan, support worker for projects and programmes at the YMCA, has been working closely with the PELC, who have provided support to residents since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “As a homeless charity, we support people who are vulnerable so we wanted to ensure they were vaccinated as soon as possible.”
“PELC have been incredible throughout the lockdown, providing an outreach GP service for our residents, offering flu jabs and referrals.
“They work with those who are homeless as well as with refugees, who are especially vulnerable at the moment.”
Chief executive of the YMCA Thames Gateway, Dave Ball, thanked Ghazi Ali, service delivery manager for PELC, who made the half-day session, carried out in the large sports hall at YMCA Romford, possible.
“I can’t explain how grateful I am, on behalf of our residents and staff, that we have been able to provide this health-giving opportunity to so many,” said Dave. “The news that this could happen came to us on Saturday evening but wasn’t confirmed until Tuesday afternoon so to get 146 people vaccinated with around 24 hours’ notice is wonderful. The team that pulled it together have been amazing.
“Many of our staff work on the frontline as we provide not only accommodation and support services but childcare services to key workers. The vaccination will help them to feel, and to be, safer in their place of work.
“I am so proud of the services we have continued to provide during the past 12 months. We are part of a long line of volunteers and staff who have been serving our localities since 1872. The vaccines feel symbolic of our local and national fightback against this appalling virus and if I’m honest, this day felt like something of a reward.”
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Tags: Romford, Havering, Ilford, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Fullwell Cross Medical Centre, YMCA
