Wooler GPs wear rainbow scrubs to signal new hope as Covid vaccine roll out begins

Wooler GPs wore rainbow scrubs to mark the roll out of Covid-19 vaccinations in north Northumberland.
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The rainbow scrubs, signifying a new hope, were worn by Dr Elizabeth Batley, advanced healthcare assistant Dawn Blackman, and Dr Robert Lambourn as jabs were given to patients at the Berwick hub.

Dr Lambourn said: 'The fightback against this terrible disease is beginning. I would strongly advise all eligible people to have the immunisation. Let's brighten up our fading rainbows, as this does signify a new hope.”

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Dr Batley added: “We would like to thank all the charities and individuals and all who have given their time to help combat this deadly infection.

Dr Elizabeth Batley, advanced healthcare assistant Dawn Blackman and Dr Robert Lambourn wearing rainbow scrubs to signify a new hope.Dr Elizabeth Batley, advanced healthcare assistant Dawn Blackman and Dr Robert Lambourn wearing rainbow scrubs to signify a new hope.
Dr Elizabeth Batley, advanced healthcare assistant Dawn Blackman and Dr Robert Lambourn wearing rainbow scrubs to signify a new hope.

"Scrubs Glorious Scrubs donated the rainbow material Northumberland C19 Sewing Group used to make the masks and scrubs.”

Meanwhile, Wooler Parish Council has pledged to help any patients who require transport for a vaccination in Berwick.

Patients from the town’s Cheviot and Glendale surgeries are required to travel 17 miles to the Well Close surgery in Berwick for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

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Cllr Mark Mather, parish council chairman, said: “It has brought up some concerns about how people get there. It’s the Wooler doctors who will ring Wooler residents to say they’ve got a chance of a vaccination.

"Using their discretion, if they know of someone who needs the vaccination and has no way of getting there then the council would be prepared to help out with its funds for a taxi service."

Cllr Mark Napier pointed out that Wooler has a high proportion of elderly residents, with more than 800 over the age of 80.

But Cllr Mather responded: “They don’t think it would be huge numbers that we would have to fund. This isn’t an open offer to the public, it would only be for people who fit the criteria. Don’t turn the vaccination down – we will make sure we get you there.

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Speaking before the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine received approval, Cllr Mather added: “Moving forward, when another vaccine comes forward which doesn’t have to be stored at such a low temperature then those vaccines can be given at Wooler again.”

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