Coronavirus: 'Merton volunteers are truly heroes'

In Merton, GP practices have joined forces to provide vaccination hubs at two sites - Wilson and Nelson hospitals. 

NHS staff have been fighting against the clock to contact vulnerable residents and inform them about the vaccine, and they've received a helping hand from a number of kind-hearted volunteers. 

From calling up residents to standing out in the cold, volunteers across these two sites have continued to smile as they tend to those in need. 

"Without them, the covid vaccination services would not be able to vaccinate as many patients," said Dr Rafik Taibjee, GP principal at Merton Medical Pratice. 

Dr Taibjee has been working across the Merton vaccination hubs and has thanked the volunteers for their heroic work during the vaccine roll outs. 

He said: "We have a team of volunteers who have been working incredibly hard and professionally, looking after our frail and elderly.

"NHS staff are doing our jobs and want nothing but smiles, but it is these general lay members of the public who are truly heroes.

"Volunteers are supporting several hundreds of people at the vaccination clinics, sometimes needing to stand in the cold.

"Many people are anxious when coming for their appointment, perhaps not having left their homes in months, and seeing a friendly welcoming reassuring face can make a big difference."

He added: "Practices are struggling with the additional workload the pandemic has brought, and often with a reduced workforce due to staff themselves getting sick or self-isolating. 

"Volunteers have been delivering the finger oximeter devices to patients to help GPs in this remote monitoring and have worked with charities to call those most alone and isolated.  

"In my practice a volunteer has helped us invite in patients for their covid vaccination- this is more complex than people realise and each invitation can take 10 minutes at least.

"By volunteering they have helped us avoid diverting staff from other essential services.

"I would add that most volunteers do not want recognition but it shouldn't stop us from saying thank you."

The doctor went onto say that volunteering has provided benefits to many people's wellbeing. 

"Also, many volunteers are seeing their volunteering as a 'win-win', as otherwise they might have been sitting at home alone or suffering lower self-esteem from being furloughed or out of work," he said. 

"Being part of a team of volunteers has been uplifting and helped their mental health and well-being, and kept them physically and mentally active."

He added: "There is much more volunteering happening than these formal schemes.

"Imagine if we all offered to be called by a housebound neighbour if they needed medication or groceries collecting.

"Or consider the difference we make when we call someone living alone or shielding once a week.

"Every little bit makes a difference."

Would you like to shine light on someone's volunteering efforts during the outbreak? Contact us at monica.charsley@newsquest.co.uk