Healthwatch Cheshire gaining people’s views and experiences at Cheshire’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West are proud to be hearing the views and experiences of people and supporting staff and volunteers across Cheshire at a variety of COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

With over 20 clinics now attended in areas such as Chester, Ellesmere Port, Crewe, Macclesfield, Healthwatch staff have seen first- hand just how much hard work, coordination, and teamwork it takes to set up the clinics at short notice and to provide vaccinations to thousands of local people in a professional, socially distanced, and efficient manner.

Alison, Healthwatch Community Engagement and Project Officer, was privileged to have the opportunity to help at vaccination clinics at Apollo Buckingham Health Sciences Campus and Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre in Crewe; and Waters Green Medical Centre and at the Community Centre in Macclesfield. She said:

“It was lovely to be able to chat to local people and to hear so much positivity about their experiences, including praise for staff and volunteers who were kind and helpful, and for the efficiency of the clinics.

“One gentleman explained that he had been nervous about attending because of a fear of needles but that he hadn’t needed to worry as staff were reassuring and gentle and that it was so quick that he hardly felt a thing. Another resident said it was the first time they had been out for nearly a year and that they were really excited to be receiving the vaccination as it felt like a positive step forward and a light at the end of the tunnel.”

You can find out about the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccinations in Cheshire here.

And if you would like to tell us about your experiences of accessing health and care advice, support and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and about your mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus outbreak, please click here to complete our Healthwatch survey.