The Cranborne Practice continues to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine to the Verwood community in line with the priorities set out nationally by the NHS and the availability of vaccine supplies.

The Practice has completed the vaccination of patients aged 80 and over. They are currently contacting patients aged 75 to 79 to advise them of appointment slots.

Those aged over 75 may receive a letter offering them an appointment at one of the many new vaccination centres that have recently opened, including the Bournemouth mass vaccination site at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).

These letters are part of the national initiative. If you have already been offered an appointment by the Practice to attend at St Leonard’s Hospital, please attend that appointment and disregard the letter offering a different appointment. Doing so will prevent wasted appointments that cannot be filled at short notice.

Practice Manager Jo Morris said, “If you have received a letter, and are not able to attend the BIC, we ask you – please don’t call us at the surgery. Please wait for us to contact you.”

The Practice is also receiving a massive influx of requests for COVID-19 vaccination appointments from frontline workers and carers, which exceeds current supplies. The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those people who experts have agreed will benefit from it the most.

GP Practices are working through their patients in line with those guidelines and will contact you as allocated supplies allow.

“There is unprecedented demand on the surgery at present,” Jo adds. “As well as continuing our usual healthcare services for our patients, we are coordinating and managing a significant vaccination programme to combat COVID-19.”

For more details you can contact the Surgery via cranborne.reception@dorsetgp.nhs.uk