Oswestry people assured that vaccines will continue to be delivered at local hospital
People living in the Oswestry area have been reassured they can choose to have their Covid vaccinations at the nearby orthopaedic hospital even though their surgeries are part of a network that has launched a vaccination centre more than 20 miles away.
News that the Cambrian, Caxton and Plas Fynnon surgeries in the town were part of the North Shropshire Primary Care Network led to fears from those registered there that they would have to travel to Prees for their vaccinations.
However Shropshire's Clinical Commissioning Group has reassured the Oswestry population that the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital vaccination centre remains open for priority patient groups and frontline health and care staff.
A spokesman said: "There are currently two different routes for people registered with a GP practice affiliated to the North Shropshire Primary Care Network (PCN)* to get a Covid vaccination. When contacted by a local GP, you can ask for an appointment at either the RJAH Hospital Hub, Oswestry or at the local vaccination service at Prees Medical Practice."
People can also choose to use a large vaccination centre when they receive a letter from the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service, telling them how to book an appointment.
"The national sites for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin include the Telford International Centre or Woodside Pharmacy, Telford," the spokesman said.
"If you can’t travel to a large vaccination centre, or there is another reason you can’t book an appointment at the nearest large vaccination centre, you can choose to wait until your local GP services contact you if they haven’t already. If this is your preferred option – you don’t need to do anything now - wait for your GP service to make contact. Or, wait until a more local large vaccination centre becomes available in the coming weeks.
"If you receive a letter and already have an appointment booked to have your vaccination at a local GP service please ignore the letter. There is nothing you need to do and please attend your appointment."
Shropshire residents who are without access to transport are now able to get free transport to their Covid-19 vaccination appointments.
"In order to get help, you must have had a letter inviting you for vaccination in Shropshire, and you must be unable to get there any other way. Subject to availability, Shropshire Council will be able to provide transport to help you get to your appointment and back. Transport can be booked by calling the council’s Covid-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (option 0).
Practices aligned to North Shropshire Primary Care Network are Churchmere Medical Group, Drayton Medical Practice, Plas Ffynnon Medical Centre, The Caxton Surgery, Wem & Prees Medical Practice, Cambrian Medical Practice, Hodnet Medical Centre, Doddington Surgery.
