DAUK features in this article that highlights concern about the new variant and the utility of the vaccines. The article reports that member polling by Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) found…
Doctors and nurses are asking their hospitals to vaccinate them, but are being told they will have to wait until early 2021 because the over-80s and care home staff are the top priority. The Doctors Association UK, a network of NHS grassroots medics, backed the call for frontline staff to get jabs urgently. Dr Katie Sanderson, a DAUK spokesperson, said: “Logic dictates we vaccinate the vaccinators and healthcare workers as soon as possible, remembering the old adage: ‘first, do no harm’.”
The Doctors' Association UK's GP committee met with NHS England on 11th December 2020 for a briefing on the delivery of the Pfizer/BioTech vaccine in primary care.
A letter from the Doctors' Association UK GP Committee to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, and NHS leaders has warned that surgeries may be deterred from participating in delivery of…
DAUK warns that given the complexity of the COVID-19 vaccination process, practices will need more support than has currently been offered. A statement from the group says: 'We have seen the significant funds that the government has pumped into other areas including the private sector, for services such as Track and Trace. The funding that has been allocated from current plans is hugely insufficient and significantly lower in comparison.' DAUK GP committee member Dr Lizzie Toberty said: 'A vaccine delivery programme is vital for the country to recover from the pandemic. Primary care is the best-placed service with the expertise and knowledge to deliver the vaccine safely and efficiently. 'However, there must be adequate resources made available to do this. We urgently need funding to renovate buildings, provide adequate PPE, and enough staff to administer the vaccine safely. It must also be recognised that primary care needs to continue all of our vital, routine work too. 'We must prevent a repetition of the mistakes this country has suffered as a consequence of the underperforming Test and Trace programme. The current plans are not sufficient to give GPs a fighting chance to participate effectively in the vaccine programme.'
While applauding news of the vaccine, some medics have raised concerns about the speed at which this vaccination programme has been announced and the safety of using non-medically trained volunteers…
Dr Vinesh Patel and Dr Elizabeth Toberty of the DAUK's GP Committee ask hard-hitting questions at the Independent SAGE meeting on 19th November 2020. They ask 2 important questions. Dr Patel asks about the data behind the efficacy and safety of the Covid-19 vaccine, and what GPs should be saying to counsel patients who ask if they should get it now, or wait for a different vaccine. Dr Toberty's question was regarding the already overflowing workload in primary care, and what will have to give in order for the vaccination programme to be delivered in the way it is currently being advertised. She asks if this is appropriate considering the rising excess mortality from Covid-19 and the disruption in service from 2 lockdowns. Watch the clip to find out the answers from Independent SAGE, let us know your thoughts. If you support DAUK: Become a member: https://www.dauk.org/membership Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/NHEppefundraiser
