Northumberland Roving Vaccination Unit visits Charlotte Straker House to give Covid-19 booster jabs

The unit was set up by the Village Surgery in Cramlington and supported by the Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Seaton Valley PCN to vaccinate those most at risk in rural Northumberland.

And this week the vehicle arrived at Charlotte Straker House, in Corbridge.

David Shannon, managing partner of the Village Surgery in Cramlington, and his team of two nurses, a community paramedic and a healthcare assistant, came to vaccinate all the care home's residents and staff members who were eligible for their booster vaccination.

Those who had their second Covid-19 jab at least six months ago are eligible.

David said: "The van been specifically modified to ensure we can reach all vulnerable and at-risk groups in the community and so far, the reaction to the new vehicle has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We have already given booster vaccines to care homes in Cramlington, but Charlotte Straker House is the first care home in this area to receive a visit from our Vaccination Unit.

"It was wonderful to meet the Charlotte Straker residents and staff today and we'll be back for a second visit to ensure that everyone who lives and works here receives their booster injection."

Berenice Groves, Chair of the Trustees at the Charlotte Straker Project, said: "I am so pleased that David and his team visited Charlotte Straker House as this shows our commitment to ensuring all our staff and residents are protected as much as possible from this horrible virus.

"The introduction of the van means that none of our vulnerable residents need to travel to a vaccination centre or risk encountering any positive cases and ensures that everyone receives the booster, and no one will miss out on the vaccination.

"It's a fantastic example of the local GP service working in collaboration with care homes, and I'm proud that Charlotte Straker House was one of the first chosen to receive a visit from the Roving Unit."