Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on 17th February 2021) below:
Vaccination
On Sunday it was confirmed over 15,000,000 people had received their first dose of a Covid-19 Vaccination and by the time you read this column it could well be 16,000,000!!!
The size of the vaccination project is immense and the 15m target which appeared so challenging a month ago was met a day early. I want to pay a particular tribute to those administering vaccinations here in Torbay, with 3,000 scheduled to be done at the Riviera Centre (RIC) last weekend alone.
The race is now on to give all over 50s their first jab by May and commence administering 2nd jabs on a similarly large scale as they fall due over the coming weeks. The Jabs Army is on the march and each advance brings a return to normality closer.
Need To Travel?
I have had some residents query why, when they tried to book via the NHS England website or phone line, the nearest appointment they were offered was in Exeter.
Local GP practices have started inviting for vaccination at the RIC the next cohort of patients on the priority list, Group 5 (those aged 65-69). Additionally, NHS England’s website and 119 telephone service enables this group, plus anyone still wanting to be vaccinated from the first 4 groups, to book appointments directly for the Large Vaccination Centre at Westpoint, Exeter.
There is no requirement for anyone to travel to Exeter for a jab, all will be invited to the Riviera Centre by their GP in due course. Yet if you are in one of the groups currently being prioritised for vaccination, have easy access to a car and not already been invited to the RIC, then this is an option worth considering, especially if you would like a choice of dates and times to fit in with work.
Every person from our bay who is mobile and drives over to Westpoint frees up a space at the RIC for someone who cannot travel and helps increase the speed of the vaccination programme in our bay. Hence on Monday I gave Hazel a lift to Westpoint for her vaccination.
Crossways
To say I was disappointed when I heard the news Royal Mail has registered an objection, alongside the current owner, to the proposed Compulsory Purchase of Crossways by Torbay Council, is about the politest way I can put it.
I have written to Royal Mail's Chief Executive offering them a chance to explain their company's actions and inviting them to visit Paignton to see for themselves (Once lockdown restrictions lifted) the eyesore they are helping keep in place.
Royal Mail management needs to find the community spirit Paignton's Postal Workers have been showing every day during this pandemic and withdraw their objection.
Surgery Times
Due to the current restrictions I have had to cancel my regular face to face advice surgeries.
I hope to restart them as soon as possible, but in the meantime a telephone call appointment can be arranged. Please note these telephone surgeries are for urgent personal matters, such as welfare, immigration, housing, problems accessing support and benefits, rather than to discuss policy or the wider situation.
You can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
