Vaccinations should be more accessible

Reading Mr Maddern`s weekly update on January 7 (why wasn`t there one the week before the virus was not on holiday) he states with resignation that Swindon is once again the place with the highest Covid-19 infections in the West country.

Infections have nearly doubled in a week. This on the day when the pubs were full of people for the Manchester City game, which undoubtedly led to more infections.

I was extremely disappointed to see that apart from the Merlin there was no attempt to have bookings in pubs and hence control numbers. There was not indeed any mention of the game at all in Mr Maddern`s address, why?

This week was also the week that the hospital declared a critical incident which will no doubt be followed by others as the infections of the Christmas/ new year period and linked to the Manchester City game translate into hospitalisations.

At the same time we note that vaccinations trail well behind national and regional averages, in particular the booster campaign which is vital to keep the Omicron strain in check.

Mr Maddern therefore mentions that people with low incomes can use taxis for free to get to vaccination centres. He has clearly realised that Steam is not easily accessible for many in Swindon who must change buses in the town centre to get there.

However, to get the free ride you must provide proof of vaccination appointments, so this will not work for walk in clinics like the Sanford Street ones on January 11 and 18.

It is odd that Mr Maddern did not yesterday mention these Sanford Street Clinics as when they are publicised, they are very well attended as we saw late last year.

Furthermore, in this context would it also not make sense to provide free bus rides to Steam for those that have direct bus services there?

It is also disappointing to see Gill May at the CCG is not providing adequate replacement to the hospital vaccination centre, nor reinstating the successful vaccine bus.

However, she did see fit to provide a vaccine pop up clinic for the winter solstice event at Stonehenge. The CCG, in my view, needs to urgently review its priorities, and remember the acute need in Swindon.

If as it seems from numerous previous incidents Mr Maddern is unable to influence Ms May our MPs need to get involved as a matter of urgency.

Finally where is the army to help with our vaccination campaign and the hospital? Mr Maddern stated he had contacted them before Christmas.

Ms May mentioned them to on Points West this week but no sign of them in Swindon where they are desperately needed.

Why the lack of urgency here? Is it fear of bad publicity?

Jonathan Sheldrake

Priam House

Rodbourne

Bring back beautiful crocus displays

Being a resident of Coleview. I hope the intended works on Covingham Drive and green field by the River Cole will be put back as they were several yrs ago. Including the many, many crocus bulbs that were there before Thames Water did their last works and destroyed them and never ever replaced them.

Hopefully they will this time give us back our beautiful crocus bulbs again.

Malcolm Lyons

Coleview

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