Blog by Holly Wentworth, Lead Vaccination Nurse at Dorset HealthCare

This winter, I have been busy taking flu and COVID-19 vaccinations out into our communities. Many people find it hard to get to a GP surgery or pharmacy. My job is to go to them, so vaccination services are easier to access and fair for everyone. 

So far, we have held 52 outreach clinics across Dorset, I have given 1,160 vaccinations for either flu and/ or COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Not had your flu or COVID-19 vaccination yet? Come to meet the team and I – no appointment needed!

My next walk-in vaccination clinic is with the Salvation Army in Winton, BH9 1JY, 10am – 2:30pm on 17 December.  See this webpage for more details: Community walk-in clinics – Stay Well Dorset.

Over the past few months, I have visited many different groups and places, including: 

  • Learning disability day centres 

    I visited centres such as Trurico in BCP and Munstys in Portland.  These clinics have felt especially helpful for people and their families. Many already have transport arranged, and being in a place they know makes a big difference.  

    One mother told me she would have struggled to get her daughter to a GP or pharmacy, and that being at the day centre where she feels comfortable, knows the staff was priceless to her. 

  • Homeless services 

    Working alongside the HealthBus in BCP, I ran clinics at the YMCA, Salvation Army, Routes to Roots and the Women's Hostel. 

    This work is always rewarding. During these sessions, I was able to help one man access the HealthBus GP for a wound check, and another who was struggling to breathe with a possible chest infection. 

    This year, numbers were higher because people recognised me and have started to trust the service more.  

  • Ageing well and dementia-friendly groups 

    I ran clinics with Age UK and Prama, including visits to Forget Me Not in Wareham, the Westbourne pub dementia quiz, Immanuel Church lunch and memory club, Sedcat mobility services, and Christchurch Connect.  I also attended Elderfest in Christchurch. 

  • Places with lower uptake 

    I have been working in areas with lower vaccination uptake, including Portland, Gateway Church in Ashley Road, Winton Salvation Army, Turlin Moor, Boscombe (alongside Live Well Dorset), and the Crown Hotel clinic in Blandford. I have visited various food banks and community coffee mornings too.

  • Boscombe walk-in clinic 

    As part of the outreach in areas with lower uptake, we also supported a walk-in clinic in Boscombe. This was done alongside LiveWell Dorset and formed part of the work at the Soverign Centre in Boscombe, where we joined local activities such as foodbanks and community coffee mornings. 

  • People with weaker immune systems 

    I ran a clinic at the Multiple Sclerosis Day Centre, which supports people with severely weakened immune systems. 

  • Engagement events 

    We also offered vaccinations at: 

    • Carers Rights health and wellbeing event in Weymouth 
    • UHD event at Gather in Poole Dolphin Shopping Centre 
    • Weymouth and Portland Diabetes Day 
    • Elderfest in Christchurch 

  • Working with the Nigerian Community Dorset 

    At the end of November, we ran a joint session with Nigerian Community Dorset, Community Action Network (CAN) and Livewell Dorset as part of their Mind Shift series. 

    The aim was to understand more about barriers to vaccination and to share information about health and staying well at every stage of life. 

    We gave vaccinations, answered questions and spoke with many people. Feedback is now being collected, and the community is keen to keep working together. Thank you to Nigerian Community Dorset for welcoming us io their events.  

If you have not had your flu vaccination yet, have it now to protect yourself before the winter holidays.  

Contact your GP surgery to book, or find a local pharmacy where you can book or even walk-in.  

I will be back in the new year with more events and clinics out in our communities.