“They were all so kind and supportive” – success for historic COVID-19 staff vaccinations at the Trust

Thousands of Trust and local health and social care staff have shared their experiences of having their COVID-19 vaccination at the Trust.

Staff shared their views by completing a survey, which was emailed to every person who had their first vaccine at a Trust vaccination hub.

The survey follows national approval for the Trust to become a ‘hospital hub’ vaccination site from 12 January 2021, and to date has meant that thousands of Trust staff have their COVID-19 vaccination.

Headline findings from the survey shared that:

• 99% of staff were very satisfied or satisfied with how safe they felt at our vaccination hubs
• 98% of staff were very satisfied or satisfied with the efficiency of our vaccination service
• 97.5% of staff were very satisfied or satisfied with their overall experience of having a vaccine at the Trust.

Amongst the percentages were hundreds of positive comments, praising Trust vaccine hubs as being “safe”, “organised” and “clean” alongside staff working in the hubs who were described as “caring”, “knowledgeable” and “reassuring”.

Views were also gathered from staff who had supported the vaccination programme, including clinicians within the vaccination hubs and those in programme support roles such as admin, marshals and corporate services. This feedback told us that:

• 97% of staff felt well prepared and supported prior to undertaking their role in the vaccination programme
• 94% of staff would want to take part in the programme again if we were to repeat it.

Staff spirit, enthusiasm and the feeling of teamwork were cited by staff as part of the successes of the programme, and insight gathered will be used to influence future vaccination programmes at the Trust.

Sue Wing, deputy director of operations and lead for the COVID-19 staff vaccination programme at the Trust, said: “The survey results and staff feedback are reflective of the passion, confidence and dedication of all staff who’ve supported this historic staff vaccination programme. On behalf of the Trust I thank you all.

“With a high majority of staff now vaccinated, staff vaccination clinics at the Trust have been stood down. However, the COVID-19 vaccination remains available to all staff and we continue to support staff to book their vaccine through the national booking system, by calling 119 or through their GP practice.”

The Trust continues to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible people within our inpatient wards and so far almost 400 doses have been given to inpatients at the Trust.

Staff are also supporting patients who use our community services to have their vaccine within their community, as they understand the difficulties that people with a serious mental health illness, learning disability or frailty can face when having their vaccine.

This has involved Trust staff working with local vaccination centres in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to help make centres welcoming and user friendly for all, whilst also vaccinating local people as part of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.