THE first day of a Covid vaccination clinic at Beales' health village in Poole saw 750 people jabbed.

The ‘health village’ at Beales is now offering Covid-19 vaccines as the booster programme ramps-up across the country.

Patients are able to reserve a time slot at the appointment-only clinic in the Dolphin Centre, Poole through the NHS national booking website for appointments into the new year.

Gemma Lynn, Head of Occupational Health at University Hospitals Dorset said: “After the government announcement on Sunday last week we had to move very quickly to set up the clinic here, so we identified the fact that Beales would be a really great place to do it for a number of reasons.

“One, it’s a purpose built place for outpatients so it’s got the space and good access, two, it’s right in the heart of the community so it’s easy for everyone to get to and three, it’s very central so transport links are really good.

“So, we got all the staff together and asked a lot of people to give up the week before Christmas to come and vaccinate, the volunteers have been great and then we advertised it out to the national booking service so people can go on and book their own appointments.”

Tony Brown, chief executive of Beales, said: “It’s actually working very, very well considering these guys only had two or three days notice last week that the change was going to happen.

“Obviously the facility was still there but the change of direction has been managed fantastically well with the volunteers downstairs, the staff up here and from a customer point of view, everything’s been positive.

“What they’re loving the most is that it’s so central, they haven’t got to go off to a hospital they haven’t got to try and navigate a hospital, they can get the bus, they can get a taxi etc. and they can do their shopping, not just in Beales but in the shopping centre as a whole so I think it’s worked incredibly well.”

Volunteers across Dorset have joined the national effort to ensure every person over 18 is offered a booster jab by new years day.

Volunteer Brenda Grove, said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant. I came in at 10am this morning, I was told what was going on and what I needed to do which was good. It’s been very busy and it’s been working really, really well, the whole system is brilliant.”

Honour Davies received her booster jab at the health village. She said: “It was fine, everything was explained really clearly and they explained it in detail as well, so I knew what was going on and the injection itself was really quick. I also live just around the corner so I didn’t have to travel for it, which was good.”

John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that through our partnership with the NHS, we are now able to accommodate bookings to help with the national rollout of vaccinations and booster jabs here at the Dolphin Centre.

“The brand-new NHS Outpatient Assessment Clinic was created to help reduce the pressures our local NHS services have faced throughout the pandemic by tackling waiting lists. To be able to provide further support by delivering this vital service, at this crucial time, brings us immense pride.”