Concern over BAME vaccination rate among Blackpool hospital staff

Figures given to a meeting of Blackpool Council’s adult social care and health scrutiny committee show 43 per cent of BAME workers, totalling 440 staff, have received their first vaccination.

This compares to nearly 64 per cent of all staff – 4,576 out of a total of 7,167, who have received a first vaccination.

Members of the committee said they were concerned at the low rate for BAME staff and quizzed medics on what was being done to persuade more people to take up the jab.

Coun Michele Scott, who chaired the scrutiny meeting, said there was “quite a significant deficit” and it was a concern to councillors “particularly in that environment.”

Kevin McGee, chief executive of the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are doing a lot of work and there is a lot of publicity with all our staff groups to increase uptake of the vaccination.

“We have put out a personal message from the medical director to all groups. Personal conversations are going on with each of our staff who have not been vaccinated to try and increase the uptake.

“It is something we are taking very seriously and there are very strong professional conversations and we’re hopeful uptake will increase.”

Mr McGee added in general the take up of jabs at the vaccination hub at Blackpool Victoria Hospital had been ‘excellent.’

Coun Scott asked for an updated report to be brought to a future meeting of the committee by NHS bosses.

* Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here