Barrhead Foundry at centre of community vaccine rollout

It was once the home of Armitage Shanks and provided work for hundreds of local people making their world-famous sanitary bowls.

When the company relocated to another part of town, the site was taken over by iron foundry owners and continued the area’s rich industrial traditions.

In 2014, a community centre was built on the same spot, at a cost of £3.8million, boasting a state-of-the-art gym, library, IT facilities and meeting rooms.

Now the site at 125 Main Street is playing a key role in the frontline battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The town centre landmark is one of two locations in East Renfrewshire – along with Carmichael Hall, in Giffnock – deployed to speed up the mass coronavirus immunisation programme.

Healthcare support workers Kirsty McIntyre, Cheryl Brown and Carolann McLean are part of the team who are performing a vital role at the Barrhead Foundry

To date, 46,000 people at the hubs have had their first jab – around 60% of East Renfrewshire’s population.

A further 8,500 have already been given their second vaccination.

The Foundry is being used to inoculate people from across East Renfrewshire.

Jennifer Reid, who is responsible for all 17 vaccinations centres across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), said they were on course to immunise everyone over the age of 18 by the end of October.

As clinical services manager, Ms Reid is delighted with the response to the vaccination programme from both the public and her staff.

She expects all those over the age of 50 to have had their first jab by April 19 and their second jab by the middle of July.

The first and second inoculations of the 18 to 50 age group should begin after that.

Ms Reid told the Barrhead News: “Everything has gone really well and I am very proud of what my team at the Barrhead Foundry and elsewhere have achieved so far.

“It has been a massive logistical effort to roll out the programme at this pace.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the public for turning up in the numbers they have.

“There is great deal of positivity and patience from people who have come for their jabs. They realise how important the vaccination programme is.”

Jennifer Reid has a key role as clinical services manager for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Ms Reid also said people have been well behaved at the Foundry and other vaccination centres, with no disorder or need to call the police.

Turnout has been high, with very few ‘no shows’ or missed appointments.

Ms Reid added: “The overall message and feedback is one of positivity.

“People in Barrhead and beyond are supporting the vaccination programme in large numbers.

“There are very few people cancelling or not turning up. If people can’t make it, they simply book another appointment.

“For many elderly people, getting their vaccination has been a big thing because it is the first time they have been out the house in a year.”

Ms Reid does, however, admit that some members of the public are anxious about getting their first jab.

“It can be quite an emotional experience,” she said. “I am really proud of our workforce, who really know what they are doing and will take their time to reassure anyone who has concerns about the vaccine itself and any possible side effects.

“Every vaccinator has a discussion with the patient beforehand about what is going to happen. They make sure patients are happy to be inoculated and aware of any side effects they could experience afterwards.”

Ms Reid said everyone they see is keen to be vaccinated, so they can meet up more easily with loved ones they may not have been able to spend time with in the last year.

However, a small number can be anxious about getting the ‘jag’ for a variety of reasons.

She added: “Most people we see have not had a jab since they were children and some worry it might be painful or have possible side effects.

“I have seen this myself when I have visited clinics.

“There are also people who might be needle phobic. That is why we try to make the experience as positive and memorable as possible, from the council staff at the door to the nursing staff inside.

“Part of their job is to put patients at ease and make it a quick and simple process.”

The national immunisation programme was first rolled out on December 8, when elderly care home residents and frontline NHS staff were given the jab.

Ms Reid added: “We’re on track to vaccinate everyone in Barrhead and across NHSGGC by the end of October.

“It is the biggest programme that we have ever undertaken. Nothing like this has ever been attempted on such a massive scale.

“There have also been lessons learned for any future vaccination programmes.”

Around 3,000 immunisation staff have been recruited for NHSGGC’s 17 centres and a further 1,700 are being trained.

Ms Reid told of one elderly couple who visited the Foundry for their jabs after spending most of the past year apart, as one was in a care home.

“They’ve both had their vaccinations and can now spend a lot more time with each other,” she said.

To date, a total of 513,000 people in the NHSGGC area have had their first jab, with 132,000 also receiving their second.

Ms Reid estimates that two million people over the age of 18 will have been immunised by October.

“People coming to the Barrhead Foundry and other centres should have no fears of being vaccinated,” she said. “Our staff will be more than happy to answer questions or allay any fears they may have.”