Operation Friendly Face for ADS users

The main focus was to give Adult Disability Service users, and some of their carers, information about what to expect before they arrive, including the route into Beau Sejour, what people would look like and how the vaccine is given.

Fewer people booking in for their vaccine and plenty of staff from the ADS to help, as well as the usual vaccinators and welcome team, made sure there was a calm environment to greet them.

ADS service manager Mandy Mackelworth said that while going for a vaccine can be scary at any time, to have to attend a clinic in an environment that looks different to normal and with people wearing PPE can be even more daunting for some of their service users.

She said it was thanks to many teams that their visit ran smoothly.

‘This is a fantastic example of Guernsey Together, with everyone working in partnership to bring a vaccination clinic specifically for people with learning disabilities together at relatively short notice,’ she said.

‘As a service we often have to think and work quite creatively to make things happen for people who would find events like this really challenging.’

Everyone involved in the scheme wore large ‘My name is…’ signs complete with picture to ensure that people could see who was under their PPE and ADS staff were stationed from the car park entrance right through to the final waiting area, which had also been redesigned.

They were on hand to support anyone who was particularly anxious or might need additional support through the process, offering time to talk and easy to read information, while ensuring it was efficiently run to keep waiting times at a minimum.

Carers were also being offered their vaccination at the same time to make the whole process easier.

Many people cheered and clapped when they left to congratulate them on having their first vaccine as a way to make the day as enjoyable as possible.

Covid-19 vaccination lead for Public Health Alex Hawkins-Drew said: ‘As a team we understood that the vaccine centre can be very busy and the process of trying to deliver as many vaccines as possible could create an environment that was not accessible to all.

‘Some very easy changes in terms of staff wearing photos of themselves on their PPE, having the support of a known team [adult learning disabilities staff] and having fewer people booked into the clinic has meant that a large number of this cohort and their carers have now had the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.’

Public Health director Dr Nicola Brink said it had been a team effort.

‘It’s been of fundamental importance and feedback to date has been enormously positive,’ she said. ‘Thank you to all of the carers and all of the people getting vaccinated for working with us.’

Second doses are due to be given on 19 April.