From venue to vaccination hub

Recently the news has been filled with venues offering their facilities to the NHS.

In England, COVID-19 vaccines are being delivered from 206 hospital hubs, 1,200 local vaccination service sites and 50 vaccination centres located in large-scale venues, such as football stadiums.

Here are just some of the venues who have opened their doors:

Hampshire Court Hotel

The Hampshire Court Hotel, Centre Drive, has been operating as a vaccination centre since the 16^th December. More than 30,000 people have been vaccinated at the hub with nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff working alongside GPs to vaccinate those identified as priority groups for the life-saving vaccine.

Millennium Point

Millennium Point is the first NHS mass vaccination centre in Birmingham and opened its doors on 11^thJanuary. The centre is run by the NHS in Birmingham and Solihull as part of the regions Covid-19 vaccination programme and will vaccinate up to 2,500 people a day. This will play a vital role in protecting lives and in supporting the recovery of the region.

Etihad Campus

The hub at the Manchester Tennis and Football Centre at the Etihad Campus launched on 11^th January. The campus is one of seven mass vaccination centres recently launched in England and will initially open to people over 80 and healthcare staff by appointment only.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is a multi-purpose venue usually used for events which host 50 – 2,000 delegates. But now it will be used as part of the NHS mass vaccination programme. A total of 65 stations have been mobilised for the mass vaccination drive which kicked off on 16^th January.

Casa Hotel

Staff from Derbyshire-based Peak Pharmacy have been working with Casa owner Steve Perez to make the idea a reality. From 1^st February, 300 people each day will receive their jabs at the four-star hotel on Lockoford Lane. They will be supported by workers from Casa who will help with duties such as marshalling.

Other hubs already in use are: ExCel Centre, Epsom Downs Racecourse, Robertson House, Centre for Life and Ashton Gate Stadium.

In addition, ten new mass vaccination centres have been confirmed:

• Bournemouth International Centre
• Taunton Racecourse
• Blackburn Cathedral
• Salt Hill Activity Centre
• Norwich Food Court
• The Lodge in Wickford
• Princess Royal Sports Arena
• St Helens Rugby Ground
• The park-and-ride at Askham Bar
• Olympic Office Centre in Wembley

The NHS is also currently in discussions with London Hotel Group (LHG) which owns Best Western.

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Photo by Steven Cornfield on Unsplash.