Clay Cross leisure centre now open as a mass Covid vaccination site

So far, vaccinations in Derbyshire have been carried out in care homes or at NHS facilities such as hospitals and GP surgeries.

Staff at North East Derbyshire District Council have been supporting the community since the start of the pandemic by delivering food parcels to those in need and providing pharmacy deliveries to the clinically vulnerable.

Prior to the vaccination site opening in Clay Cross, more than 25 of the leisure centre staff from North East Derbyshire District Council took part in a test vaccination trial setting at Bakewell, which was the only known trial in the country, aimed at understanding the logistics of mass testing and how to safely allow a flow of people in the sites when up and running.

The team taking part received great thanks from the Derbyshire NHS Foundation Trust for their assistance with NHS efforts to provide safe vaccination sites.

Coun Alex Dale, North East Derbyshire District Council leader, said, “I am incredibly proud of the way in which we have supported our residents and

businesses in their times of need, from providing food parcels to the vulnerable or being a listening ear on the phone and providing more than £20 million pounds of support through business grants.

"This latest feat to turn around our leisure centre, in such a short space of time, to be one of the first vaccination sites converted from a public building has been nothing short of miraculous.

“Using Sharley Park has a vaccination site is a fantastic way to make sure the people of our district and county are able to access this vital vaccine.

“We have worked extremely hard with our NHS partners to get Sharley Park ready for patients, even taking part in a trial which was the only one in the country and I would like to thank all involved who have made this possible.

“It is a hugely positive step forward.

"But while this is an incredibly exciting opportunity to end this pandemic, I must stress, while the roll out is happening, we must do all we can now to keep our distance, wash our hands, wear face coverings when out and protect our NHS and save lives.”

Coun Barry Lewis, Derbyshire County Council leader, added: “Ensuring the people of Derbyshire are vaccinated as soon as possible is one of the most important steps in helping us beat this awful virus.

"The opening of Sharley Park is a key milestone in this battle.

“Many of our care home residents and frontline staff have already been vaccinated and Sharley Park and other mass vaccination centres coming online across the county will help speed up the rollout of this vital programme.

“By working closely with our partners in health and the district and borough councils, many more residents will receive this lifesaving injection.”

Derby & Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is managing the rollout of the vaccine across the county and people should not contact their GP about a vaccination unless asked to do so, and should not attend any vaccination site without an appointment.