Coffs Harbour’s Northside Health team has had a busy week helping to keep the community safe from the threat of COVID-19.
As well as vaccinating patients at their practice – close to 9,000 in total now – members of the team conducted outreach clinics at Ulong for Eastern Dorrigo residents, and in Coffs Harbour for members of the multicultural community.
One Ulong resident who is currently undergoing cancer treatment said she had found it difficult booking in for vaccination at a time that didn’t interfere with her chemotherapy. She was also able to bring in her elderly mother for vaccination, easing her worries about what will happen when NSW opens up to travel.
‘I feel so relieved that I was able to be vaccinated here, close to home,’ she said. ‘It’s just so hard trying to fit extra trips into town on top of the treatments.’
The team from Northside will head back up the mountain in 3 weeks to deliver second doses.
Northside Health practice manager Karen Jackson said around 50 residents took advantage of this week’s vaccination clinic at Ulong.
‘It ran very smoothy and everyone was really grateful,’ Ms Jackson said.
The second outreach clinic was a collaboration between Northside Health, Healthy North Coast and Coffs Harbour Health Campus’ Refugee Health Clinic. As well as the vaccination team and nurses, interpreters were on site to help overcome any language barriers. Organisers planned for more than 150 community members to attend.
Ms Jackson said the outreach clinics were an extension of Northside Health’s ‘community spirit’ ethos. She said Northside would be happy to run more clinics if the demand was there.
Featured image: Members of the team from Northside Health preparing to vaccinate residents of the Eastern Dorrigo area at Ulong this week.