Page 16 - RADC Bulletin 2021

Op RESCRIPT MACA Tasking
Supporting NHS Wales
Capt C Parry
On 6 Feb 2021, Majors Phillips, Dransfield and Mcgrath alongside Capt McBride
and myself (Capt Parry) deployed on Op RESCRIPT, specifically on a MACA tasking to support NHS Wales and their Mass Vaccination Task Force in order to aid in their mission:
‘To vaccinate as many people as possible, as swiftly as possible, with the minimum waste possible via Rapid Flow Deployment Models across Wales.’
We all attended a one day RSOI package in Cardiff at a Mercure Hotel. Here we were briefed in groups depending on which of the 7 Welsh NHS Trusts we were to be assigned to.
Major Phillips and I were assigned to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, where we were to begin vaccinating in the Mass Vaccination Centre (MVC) in Llandudno. The MVC was in Venue Cymru, a theatre that I knew very well having grown up 5 minutes down the road. I had even played some gigs there when I was a spotty teenager with long
hair and in a terrible punk rock band. We deployed with two drivers who were RAF Radar Technicians and a Royal Navy Nurse, who was also to be a vaccinator.
As we had already completed the relevant online training and courses, when we arrived at the MVC we had a brief tour, a demonstration on vaccinating technique and then received our first vaccine dose. There were CMT’s already vaccinating and members of the RAF Band were on site
as general staff and vaccinator assistants. We began vaccinating on 8 Feb 2021.
We did 12 supervised doses and then we were assessed by the lead nurse to ensure competence.
We quickly got into the swing of things and by the third day I was administering up to 120 doses a day in a 10 hour period. We also suggested many changes that enabled a more efficient through flow of patients and increased patient safety. It was extremely rewarding. I had an extra boost as some of the patients were family friends. Everyone was extremely happy with the excuse to leave the house or the care home they
had travelled from. The plethora and sheer diverse nature of the patients meant that a thorough knowledge recap of medications, human diseases, communication techniques and for myself Welsh revision was required.
After 3 weeks we were informed that we were moving as a small team to Deeside Nightingale Hospital MVC and were to move accommodation in Wrexham. This
was another large centre in a converted
ice rink. We assisted the lead nurse here in passing the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales inspection, which they passed with flying colours. Using our knowledge from our own HGAVs and CQA inspections was invaluable to the MVC staff. We were also tasked with being resus leads which meant caring for patients who had fainted, had had panic attacks or other medical emergencies. This was a great experience.
The NHS nurses, doctors, dental nurses and dentists we worked with were incredible and very welcoming. We integrated well
and felt part of the teams we worked with from day one and our presence definitely bred a healthy competition as to who could vaccinate the most people in the day.
The days were long, tiring and could be very monotonous. However, talking to the patients and what the vaccine meant for them and their family quickly dissolved such issues and the sense of pride returned. It was an absolute honour to have worked alongside the NHS staff, volunteers and RAF in support of Betsi Cadwaladr NHS Trust. In total I delivered over 4000 doses and Maj Phillips completed a similar number.
Capt McBride worked in Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) for the duration of the tasking, spread across 3 separate sites. The first four weeks he was working as a vaccinator alongside the NHS and Agency nurses. Delivering anything from 50 to 100 vaccines a day, by the end of the first month he had done over 1000. During this time it was mainly over 60s that were being seen who were all thrilled to be there, being out of the house and having their vaccine. Everyone was full of hope for what would hopefully be the beginning of the end of the pandemic.
In our usual jobs as dentists it is rare for someone to be so happy to come and see us, so to have thousands coming through the Mass Vaccination Centre (MVC) every day who couldn’t stop smiling was great. Especially as a lot of them brought cakes and chocolate for the staff.
After the first month Capt McBride then transitioned into a supervisor role. This involved being the direct supervisor of a team of 12-16 vaccinators, 12 administrative staff, 4 HCAs and 6 military staff. He
was the point of contact for any patient queries or complicated medical histories, he liaised with the pharmacists about a patient’s suitability to have the vaccine and catalogued the vaccine stock numbers
coming in and out of the MVC.
While not as hands on with patients,
this role was very rewarding. It built on the rapport and relationships that had been developed with the NHS staff and gave him a greater insight into the regional management of the MVCs. It also helped in advising the military Liaison Officers who were developing the hand over plan for the Health Board.
Capt McBride remained the clinical supervisor until the end of the tasking, finishing in the largest MVC that was seeing approximately 1900 patients a day and had a team of over 35 staff.
Overall it was an amazing opportunity and experience working alongside the NHS and being part of the vaccination programme, which has been such a huge national project, was a privilege.
14 RADC BULLETIN 2021
DEPLOYMENT