New survey asks the public ‘How could Dorset’s COVID-19 vaccination programme be improved?’
The public feedback campaign, which is welcomed by local NHS providers, will help identify what is working well and where changes could be made to improve vaccination delivery across the county.
Louise Bate, Healthwatch Dorset Manager, explained why it’s important for people to get involved: “The NHS in Dorset is working hard to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the county, with over quarter of a million doses given so far. However, this is the largest ever public vaccination programme, so there are many challenges and there may be things that could be improved. Our NHS partners recognise the value of listening to and learning from local people. We are gathering public feedback to help them understand people’s needs and expectations so that they can make vaccine delivery as effective as possible.”
Dr Karen Kirkham, local Dorset GP, Clinical lead for the Dorset COVID-19 vaccination programme, and Assistant Clinical Director of NHS Dorset CCG, said: “We very much welcome continuing to hear people’s views and experiences about having the COVID-19 vaccine in Dorset. It’s been a remarkable effort to deliver the vaccine to so many people in such a short time, and I’d like to take the opportunity to also thank everyone who has been involved.”
The COVID-19 vaccination programme across Dorset has been supported by thousands of local volunteers through recruitment campaigns by Community Action Network, Volunteer Centre Dorset and local GP patient groups. Healthwatch Dorset Volunteer Officer, Holly Drinkwater, has been helping out as a Volunteer Marshall at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) COVID-19 vaccination centre, and also raising awareness of our survey.
