Among the first to receive the Covid vaccine in Purbeck were husband and wife, 89 year old John and 86 year old Shirley Abbott, who live in Swanage.
Married for 63 years, they’ve spent much of the last year shielding from the virus. They were delighted to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the first Wareham Hospital clinic on Thursday 14th January 2021, and already have their second booster jab booked in for three months time.
The Purbeck Primary Care Network, which consists of Swanage Medical Practice, Corfe Castle Surgery, Wareham Surgery, Bere Regis Surgery, Sandford Surgery and The Wellbridge Practice, is organising the Covid vaccine clinics at Wareham Hospital.
Swanage residents, John and Shirley Abbott were among the first to receive the vaccine at Wareham Hospital
Contacting patients in strict order of priority
Each surgery is contacting their patients in strict order of priority as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Some people are being contacted by their surgery by phone and then receiving a follow up letter and others are just receiving a letter. This letter needs to be brought to the vaccination appointment.
It’s hoped that most of those in Purbeck in the first two priority groups, which are residents in a care home for older adults and their carers and all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers, will be vaccinated over the next two weeks.
GPs are asking that people do not contact their surgery but wait to receive a phone call or letter, because every time the admin staff have to answer the phone that diverts them away from organising the appointment times.
Wareham Hospital
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) order of priority
- Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
- All those 75 years of age and over
- All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
- All those 65 years of age and over
- All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
- All those 60 years of age and over
- All those 55 years of age and over
- All those 50 years of age and over
Allocated parking at Wareham Hospital
Travelling to Wareham Hospital
There is allocated and clearly signposted parking at Wareham Hospital for those who are able to come by car.
For those who need help travelling to Wareham, particularly older people and people with disabilities, there are a number of organisations that can help.
People are being asked not to contact the organisations until they have a confirmed appointment date and time.
The voluntary organisations listed here make a small charge for the transport.
- Communicare – voluntary car and befriending service in Purbeck
Contact Jenny Lazenby: Telephone 01929 426644. - Swanage Disabled Club
Contact Robert or Sue Payne: Telephone 01929 423729 - Wareham Disabled Club
Contact Brian Dashford: Telephone 01929 553419 - Wareham Lions Club
Contact Colin Appleton: Telephone 01929 552110 - Wareham Hopper – Dial a Ride.
Contact Helen Reed: Telephone 01258 472164
Also some private taxi companies are offering to take people to Wareham Hospital for their vaccination at a fixed, reduced price.
More information
- Purbeck Primary Care Network Facebook page
- Swanage Medical Practice Facebook page
- Swanage Community Coronavirus Response Facebook page
