Flu Vaccination Campaign Kicks Off for Trust Health Workers

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Press release–7 October 2013

2013 - 90

Flu vaccination campaign kicks off for Trust health workers

Derek Smith, Chief Executive, at Wye Valley NHS Trust, joined a doctor and nurse to be one of the first members of Trust staff to get their flu jab this month, as part of the national NHS staff flu vaccination campaign, to help save the lives of patients and people using health services in Herefordshire.

Derek kicked offthis year’s campaign, along with front line staff, doctor, Michael Adebayo,staff nurse, Louise Page, from Lugg Ward at the County Hospital, and occupational health vaccinators, Julie Davis and Janet Lawrence, with the clear message that health workers who are protected against flu can’t pass it to their patients, service users or colleagues.

Derek, said: “The NHS sees millions of patients every year whose age or poor health means flu could have a serious impact on their lives. This is why it’s so important for our staff to choose to get the flu vaccine. If we reduce the chances of staff contracting flu, we can really drive down the possibility of passing it onto our patients”.

“We really want to make staff aware that vaccinations are safe and extremely effective, and we know that our staffmembers are passionate about providing high quality care, and that they will support this year’s campaign, as they have done in previous years”.

Michael Adebayo, Trust doctor, said: “I have the flu jab every year to protect myself and my patients from getting the flu virus. It’s free, only takes a minute, and can save lives”.

The Trust takes patient safety very seriously and will be working hard to encourage its nurses, doctors, health visitors, porters and other front line staff, to get vaccinated – helping to prevent them catching flu or passing the virus onto patients and service users.

The vaccinations are being provided free of charge at a range of times and locations to suit all frontline staff, including night workers, and those in the community.

Although this campaign is about staff vaccinations, members of the public should also consider getting the flu jab themselves if they are in one of the at risk groups: pregnant, over 65, carer, have a health condition or weak immune system. Visit your GP to find out more.

Photograph - Left to right front row: Louise Page–staff nurse, Julie Davies–vaccinator
Back row: Michael Adebayo–doctor, Derek Smith–Chief Executive, Janet Lawrence - vaccinator

ENDS

Notes to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is the provider of acute and community services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve. We are the leading provider of health care in Herefordshire.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £160 million, we employ around 2,700 plus staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.For further information please contact:

For further information please contact:
Fiona Gurney, Communications Assistant 01432 355444 ext. 5105, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928.

Herefordshire’s health service provider