New medical team to take over giving Melton Covid jabs

Residents were concerned earlier this week after it emerged that local GP practices were stepping back from giving the vaccines from June 27 so they can concentrate resources on the increasing primary care workload at their surgeries.

We reported earlier this week that Latham House Medical Practice and its partner practices in the Melton, Syston and the Vale Primary Care Network (PCN), which has operated the centre at the sports village since it opened in December, said it was ‘not sustainable’ to continue giving jabs and treating patients for general healthcare.

Melton MP Alicia Kearns said today (Friday) she was ‘disappointed’ that the PCN had taken the decision not to carry on delivering vaccinations but that she had been reassured that the Melton vaccine centre would stay open.

And that has now been confirmed with news this evening that Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which manages a number of health venues including Melton Mowbray Hospital, would take over administering the jabs at the Melton centre.

A spokesperson from the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups (LLRCCG) told the Melton Times: “We have arranged for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust to continue providing Covid vaccinations for patients of Melton practices who have not yet been vaccinated, at Melton Sports Village

“Further details about how to book vaccine appointments will follow when the arrangements have been finalised.

“In the meantime, patients can book appointments at alternative vaccination services.”

Resources at Melton vaccination centre are currently being concentrated on giving vulnerable residents their second jab and Latham House says it does not presently have enough vaccine to deliver further first jabs.

It said in a statement: “At this time we only have a vaccine supply to support our second dose schedule from the Melton Sports Village site.

“We do not have any future scheduled first dose vaccination clinics planned for the Melton Sports Village site.”

They ask patients not to call the practice to book a first dose but instead to arrange it by calling 119 or via the online NHS booking website.

MP Mrs Kearns had earlier moved to allay concerns over the future viability of the vaccine centre at the sports village.

She said: “I’ve had extensive discussions with our CCG and the Vaccines’ Minister over the last week, and I am relieved that they have reassured me that a new provider will take over with a five to seven day service so that we can crack on with vaccinating those outside of cohorts one to nine, and that the vaccination centre at Melton Sports Village will remain open.”

Go to www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccine for details on how to book a coronavirus vaccine appointment or call 119.