Staff at Long Melford care home to be among first to receive coronavirus vaccine

Staff at a care home group will be among the first phase to receive the coronavirus vaccine this week.

Ten per cent of staff at Stow Healthcare Group's Melford Court care home, in Long Melford, will take up the offer of the vaccination.

People aged 80 and over as well as care home workers are among the first to receive the jab, along with NHS workers who are at higher risk.

Amanda Atkins, home manager at Melford Court, said: “I was delighted to receive a call to ask if my staff would be available this week to attend the vaccination clinic in Colchester.

"I know my staff and residents want us to get back to a more normal life, and this is a vital step to help us do that."

Stow Healthcare, which also runs Stowlangtoft Hall, Brandon Park, Halstead Hall, Ford Place in Thetford and Cedars Place in Halstead, is holding virtual meetings with staff, residents and families next week to discuss any concerns about the vaccine.

Bosses at the group said they understand 'it is likely, due to logistical reasons, that the roll out is starting with care home staff, before hopefully progressing to care home residents without significant delay'.

Ruth French, operations director at Stow Healthcare, said: “2020 has been a challenging year, but our staff have worked with passion and commitment to ensure that our residents are safe and well connected with their families.

"We are really looking forward to being a part of this vaccination programme and can’t wait for our residents to be vaccinated too.”

Last week, West Suffolk Hospital's board heard that Colchester Hospital would be the first to deliver the vaccine in the area, which is the only one of the three acute hospitals that has the freezer facilities which can store the vaccine at the required minus 80 degrees.

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