Salisbury City Hall hits 100,000 vaccine milestone
They reached it on the NHS' 73rd birthday
After opening at the end of January, the mass vaccination centre at Salisbury City Hall has now administered over 100,000 jabs.
They hit the milestone today (Monday 5th July), the same day the NHS celebrates it's 73rd birthday.
To mark the special occasions, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust CEO Stacey Hunter visited the centre and cut a birthday cake for the health service and did a speech in front of some of the staff and volunteers.
Meanwhile, volunteer co-ordinator Sharon Payne also read out a poem.
Centre Director Fiona Hyett said:
"I'm really proud, it's just such an amazing achievement, we knew as we were heading up to 100,000 that we would have to celebrate it properly and celebrate help making the difference to the country but also celebrating our staff here because it's them that have made the difference being here 7 days a week for five and a half months consistently vaccinating despite whatever challenge we thrown at them, they're here and doing it so it's a really awesome day."
INCREDIBLE HONOUR
As part of the birthday celebrations for the NHS, Her Majesty the Queen awarded the service with the George Cross.
In a statement, Stacey Hunter said:
"This award reflects the high regard in which the nation holds the National Health Service. The award is for everyone that works for the NHS, past and present - all 300 different occupations that make up the NHS workforce, those that wear a uniform and those that don't, all our fabulous teams. I hope the Award helps to inspire our staff who are currently exhausted and motivates new people to join the incredible institution that is our NHS.
Since I started my nurse training 34 years ago things have moved on quite a bit. The system, the processes, the equipment and the uniforms have all changed beyond imagination, but the values and aspirations of the service have stayed consistent. We are here to serve our community, to deliver compassionate care, free at the point of delivery based on need not the ability to pay. When individuals, communities or the nation need our care and support the service has delivered time and again, not just this past year but for 73 years.
Everyone who wears an NHS lanyard either today, yesterday or in the future should be proud of what they have done, continue to do or will do in the future, I know I am."
Meanwhile, English Heritage marked the health services birthday by flying a flag at Stonehenge.
Salisbury Cathedral continues to be lit up blue tonight as well.