Every fortnight Kevin writes a “Kev’s Column” for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 6th January 2021) below:
2021
Across our bay we will all be hoping 2021 is a year when we get back to doing all the things which make our bay such a special place to live. 2020 is a year we will certainly remember, even if for many reasons it is one we might rather forget.
Over the last three weeks I have been working at home here in the bay and spending some time with family, including being able to have my first face to face indoor visit (Not through a window or outside in the garden) with my Dad at his Care Home since March, thanks to rapid testing. It was great to be able to open my Birthday Cards with him in his room, and I want to pay tribute to all those working in social care and our local NHS who have done so much over the last 10 months to keep some of our most vulnerable residents safe.
Whilst it has been the festive season things have been far from quiet on the work front with a range of Ministerial Meetings including several relating to Covid-19, the announcement of £13.36m of capital funding for Paignton’s Future High Streets project, urgent casework queries from residents, the recall of parliament to vote on a Trade Deal with the EU and Torbay moving into Tier 3.
2021 starts with a lot of promise, yet there is still a plenty of work to be done in terms of the immediate challenges of the pandemic. Whilst the vaccination programme means we can see light at the end of the Covid tunnel, there is sadly still some distance left before we reach it.
Yet if we all do our bit, stick to the guidance and set ourselves to the task which is before us, we will soon reach the sunnier days of summer.
Vaccination
Two of the most positive bits of news over the Christmas period was the approval by Medical Regulators of the vaccine developed by Oxford University and confirmation the NHS had administered its 1,000,000th Covid-19 vaccination doses.
The NHS has 100m doses of the Oxford Vaccine on order, with many having already been manufactured pending regulatory approval rather than waiting for it. This meant 530,000 doses of the Oxford Vaccine were available for use from Monday and more will follow quickly.
The goal is to ensure the capacity of the vaccination programme increases alongside increasing manufacturing output, so the time from production to administration is minimised and the NHS can get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
It is not possible to buy a Covid-19 vaccination for private prescription. The NHS controls the UK’s supply to ensure medical need, not wealth, determines who receives it.
Surgery Times
I continue to hold my regular advice surgeries, although due to current public health guidance they must be by appointment only.
My next surgeries will be on Friday 8th January 2021 from 3pm till 5pm and Saturday 16th January from 11am till 1pm both at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD. Social distancing measures will be in place and a face covering must be worn unless you have a medical condition which means you cannot wear one.
To book an appointment you can email me at [email protected] or telephone 01803 214989.
