Covid Vaccinations in Lichfield and Burntwood
Michael Fabricant has been in contact with the NHS vaccination teams in Staffordshire regarding the apparent lack of vaccination centres in the Lichfield Parliamentary Constituency. “The problem is that until recently, no location in the Lichfield area has been listed on the National Booking System with people from Lichfield and Burntwood being forced to travel to Tamworth or much further afield for their booster shots” says Michael. “This is unsatisfactory and very confusing though Burntwood’s new Greenwood Health Centre is now finally on the National Bookings gov.uk website.”
Following Michael’s requests for an explanation, Lynn Millar of the Staffordshire & Stoke’s Clinical Commissioning Group says: “The Primary Care Networks are still operating within Lichfield, but are using a local booking solution where patients are sent an invite to book into a local clinic. They don’t operate on the national booking system which is why you won’t be able to see the clinics. However all those over 18 who are not yet vaccinated should be receiving invitations. They have clinics planned at Whittington on 5th and 19th January, and one at Curborough on 13th & 27th January. There is also a clinic being planned week commencing on the 23rd, though details to be confirmed.”
Michael warns “These are NOT walk in clinics and people should only attend if they have received an invitation to be vaccinated from a GP surgery to attend one of these centres.”
Lynn Millar continues “The neighbouring Primary Care Network in Burntwood are now on the gov.uk National Booking System and have clinics running every Tuesday & Thursday and have capacity within all clinics. We have asked them to open these clinics to walk ins as well to make it as accessible as possible.
“There are 2 new pharmacy sites currently going through an approval process to be set up from the middle of January who will also be on NBS and offering walk ins within Lichfield. Finally, our Targeted Vaccination Team have a walk in planned at Lichfield Fire Station on the 21st January.”
Michael Fabricant adds “While I am pleased to see that vaccination centres are and will be available in Lichfield, it’s all too much of a well-kept secret. I hope most of these centres will soon be on the gov.uk website so the locations will be transparent to all.”