2021 02 Covid Vaccination update

2021 02 Midhurst Covid Vaccination Update

Midhurst is on a war footing to defeat the unseen enemy. It has now opened up a second front at Midhurst Memorial Hall. However, this is a record of the Riverbank push.

The team late on Monday, 1 February 2021, broke through the 5,000 vaccinations barrier. The team includes 40 members of the Riverbank Medical Centre who have given up their weekends to vaccinate Midhurst, Petworth and Chichester. They are supplemented by 50 volunteers from the Rotary Club with friends from Midhurst Tennis Club and Midhurst Cricket Club. There are a further 10 volunteers who have been helping with administration.

This makes a total of 100 people who have come together to form a super team. The leaders of this army are the indefatigable Practice Manager, Kath Miles, and the doctors.

It is exciting to test why the volunteers are turning up in the cold and the rain. Retired GP, Peter Davis, says “Vaccinations are the only way that we are going to beat this pandemic.”

Phil Luxton and John Bower were on car park duty on Sunday. Both told a similar story. They had been furloughed and wanted to give something back to the community.

Leanne Hayward was encouraged to volunteer by her sister and fellow volunteer, Sarah Stanley. She says “it is so rewarding to be helping our community.”

The team continues to fight the good fight and is fortified by the goodwill of those attending the clinics. There is cause for optimism and even if it is too early for spring, there is a spring back in the step of those who have received their first vaccination. Staff, volunteers and patients are enjoying the camaraderie and the prospect of returning to something like normal again.

 Graphics:

Volunteers Liz Reed and Peter Davis coordinating the queues

Volunteers Phil Luxton and John Bower directing the traffic

Article by Rotarian Simon Flint