IT was all systems go at Sherborne House in Newton Abbot this week as preparations are being made for the first Covid-19 vaccinations to begin on Saturday.

Patients from GP surgeries in the district are being contacted for appointments.

This week, patients in priority groups are being contacted to book appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations at a new centre starting at Sherborne House in Newton Abbot from Saturday (January 16).

Patients are being reminded not to contact their practice about a vaccination but to wait until they are called.

GP practices are working in groups to set up the local vaccination centres.

Sherborne House, in Kingsteignton Road, which has been specially adapted to be accredited as a vaccination centre, will serve patients from the following surgeries: Devon Square, Albany, Bovey Tracey and Chudleigh, Kingskerswell and Ipplepen, Kingsteignton, Buckland and Cricketfield.

Dr Lucinda Harris, a GP based at Buckland, said: ‘We’re very pleased to have our vaccination site at Sherborne House approved and taking receipt of our first delivery of vaccinations will be very exciting.

‘The practice staff, the local community, Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and especially the vaccination steerage team, have worked tirelessly together to make this a reality.’

Rachael Minty, lead nurse from Bovey Tracey surgery, added: ‘I’m so proud to be part of this programme and it will be fantastic to start getting the people of Newton Abbot and surrounding areas protected against COVID-19.

‘Everyone across the practices involved has been amazing at stepping forward to take on extra roles and duties.’

The site will be using the Pfizer and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines, both of which have been through rigorous tests and approval processes to prove they are safe and effective.

The good news was announced by The Newton Abbot West and Templer Care Primary Care Networks.

Their press release said: There are four main things that people in Devon can do to help the NHS give the vaccine to as many local people as possible, as quickly as possible:

Choose the right service for your needs as GPs are now managing extra pressures from the vaccine programme. Consider self-care for minor illnesses and injuries; pharmacists for illnesses like diarrhoea, earache, painful cough, sticky eye, teething and rashes; and local minor injury services. You will still get a face-to-face appointment at your local practice if your GP thinks you need one.

Attend all appointments, whether it is for a vaccine, to see your GP or at hospital, unless they are personally contacted by your provider and told otherwise.

Don’t make things harder for the NHS by calling your local hospital or GP practice about getting the vaccine – the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn. Follow Government rules – the vaccines are a wonderful development, but we are not out of the woods yet. Remember, ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’ and ‘Hands Face Space’. Act as if you have COVID, even after you’ve been vaccinated.

Cllr Mike Joyce, who is also chairman of the local Albany Surgery patient participation group (PPG) group, said: ‘I am absolutely delighted and over the moon that people in Newton Abbot will now be getting the vaccine.

‘I really hope that people will listen to the advice about when to turn up and of course take up the vaccine.

‘Let’s hope the roll-out goes quickly as possible for us all so we can get to what has been described as the light at the end of the tunnel.’