Staff at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust led by example when it came to flu vaccinations this year, with the vast majority protecting themselves and their patients by receiving the vaccine.
The latest figures show that 80.4 per cent of all staff with patient contact received the annual influenza vaccine at the trust in 2019-20 – hitting the target of 80 per cent and exceeding the national average of 74.3 per cent.
Dr Jane Spenceley, consultant in occupational health at Hampshire Hospitals, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, said: “By achieving this high level of flu vaccine coverage, our staff ensured that both they and their vulnerable patients were better protected.
“The trust managed to achieve this excellent result in the 2019-20 flu season due to wider team working across HHFT, led by the Health4Work team and supported by many other staff, especially our amazing peer vaccinators.”
Dr Spenceley added: “This impressive uptake means that the trust has also received additional money, which can be used to fund extra resources for HHFT.
“I would personally like to thank all staff across the trust who received the flu vaccine, and all those who were involved in the delivery of the staff flu vaccination campaign.
“Next year, our target is that 90 per cent of our staff who are involved in patient contact receive the flu vaccine, and we hope to achieve this goal.”
PHOTO: Mark Badham, clinical matron receiving his flu vaccination. This photograph was taken before the social distancing regulations were introduced.
