Homeless vaccination scheme to be rolled out further following successful pilot
Urban Village Medical Practice in Ancoats - a facility contracted to deliver healthcare to homeless people - is working with Manchester City Council to get COVID-19 jabs to those in council accommodation.
A pilot scheme launched to get the COVID-19 vaccine to homeless people in Manchester is set to be expanded following a successful pilot phase.
Urban Village Medical Practice in Ancoats – a facility contracted to deliver healthcare to anyone experiencing homelessness – is working with Manchester City Council to administer jabs to those in council accommodation.
The pilot scheme resulted in 81 vaccinations – and is now set to be rolled out to those in temporary accommodation and day centres.
Urban Village will also be using a clinical van to administer jabs around the city, with Cornbrook Medical Centre and Florence House GP also offering vaccinations.
Councillor Bev Craig said that the council was working hard to make sure “no one is left behind or forgotten.”
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Urban Village Medical Practice in Ancoats
We are so pleased that our Homeless Healthcare Team are rolling out our Covid vaccination programme for homeless people in the City following a successful pilot programme! 🎉😊#Homeless#COVIDVaccinepic.twitter.com/02Rh3xWdqB
— Manchester’s Homeless Healthcare Service (@uvmphomeless) February 18, 2021
Emma Hicklin, homeless service manager for Urban Village Medical Practice, commented: “People who are homeless are effectively clinically extremely vulnerable and it’s important that they are part of this vaccine rollout.
“It’s a moral imperative to do it if you can. The uptake has been good so far, but you must go to where people are.
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“The people we’re working with are saying the same as you hear from the general public, that if it helps us all get out of lockdown it’s well worth having the vaccination.”
Councillor Craig added: “The vaccine roll-out is providing protection to those who need it the most and to the community.
“Inclusive health is an integral part of our citywide vaccination programme, building on existing trusted relationships that we can use as we expand the opportunity to be vaccinated to everyone who is currently homeless in the city.”
Councillor Zahid Chauhan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said it was important for the group to be vaccinated because of their added vulnerability.
Around 100,000 people in Manchester have now received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Almost 16 million in total in the UK have received a jab.
News
Appeal for information after serious bus-cyclist collision on Deansgate
Daisy Jackson
Police have launched an appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on Deansgate, which has left a cyclist in critical condition.
Yesterday afternoon reports were made of a crash between a cyclist and a bus on the busy street in Manchester city centre.
The cyclist, who is a man in his 80s, has suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, and remains in hospital in critical condition.
The crash took place on the junction of Bridge Street and Deansgate at around 12.30pm on Monday 2 November.
A large cordon was in place and Deansgate closed for several hours yesterday.
Police officers are now appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or may have mobile phone or dashcam footage, to come forward.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting the log number 1510 of 02.11.26. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Greater Manchester emergency services issue urgent safety warning ahead of Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night this week.
With Bonfire Night only a few days away now, and fireworks already starting to be let off across the region, Greater Manchester’s emergency services have, once again, come together to launch a campaign urging communities to be safe, and warn against attacking emergency service workers or taking part in anti-social behaviour.
Led by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and the region’s 10 local Councils, the Bang Out Of Order campaign highlights the consequences of anti-social behaviour.
Last year, incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to nuisance from fireworks rose by 2% – with 1,020 cases recorded, while attacks on firefighters also sadly increased.
An urgent safety warning has been issued by emergency services ahead of Bonfire Night / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
935 fires were also started deliberately between 1 September and 10 November last year, while 767 hoax calls were made to the police and fire service within the same time period.
GMFRS has now issued an urgent safety warning.
Matt Hamer, Director for Community Safety and Training, said: “The Bonfire Night period is one of the busiest times of the year for our emergency services, and we want everyone to enjoy the celebrations safely and responsibly.
“We strongly encourage people to attend organised firework displays and bonfire events wherever possible. If you are planning your own celebrations, it is essential that you follow the Firework Code and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
“Deliberately setting fires, misusing fireworks or attacking emergency service workers is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences. Our firefighters are there to protect communities and should never face abuse, violence or intimidation while carrying out their duties.
The Manc -
18th February 2021 
