GMTS experiences of the COVID-19 vaccination programme

In December I was asked to join a small team tasked with setting up North Bristol NHS Trust’s Covid-19 Vaccination Hospital Hub. We had a very limited time to set up the vaccination service and faced lots of unknowns and constant changes to guidance; it was not a straightforward process!

The NBT vaccination centre was the first to open in Bristol. On our first day we vaccinated 100 local Health and Social Care staff and over the coming weeks, this increased to upwards of 500 vaccinations per day. During this time we faced many challenges, particularly around efficient use of the vaccine supply and pulling together the large required workforce whilst the pandemic was at its peak.

Despite long hours and the ever-changing guidance, it was a unique and extremely positive experience. I witnessed and experienced exceptional leadership and collaborative working across organisations, and working in the clinic itself was a real pleasure, with great engagement and commitment from staff and patients alike. It was a truly fantastic experience that enriched my existing leadership skills and taught me so much more about leading in fast-paced and changing environments. I am very proud of the work the team has achieved in such a unique situation, which resulted in the administration of over 20,000 vaccinations during my time in the hub.

Natalie Smith, Graduate Management Trainee 2019-20