Patient Care Locally are currently working with the LIST Project (Local Immunisation Street Team) to address health engagement in harder-to-reach groups within the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) geography.
The LLR Integrated Care Board stepped up to a challenge laid down by Public Health England to increase childhood immunisation and reduce variation in uptake amongst certain communities within the area. Patient Care Locally were asked to work in concert with local VCSE groups to better understand the barriers to vaccination and to address those in an effort to encourage uptake.
Working alongside Heads Up Leicester, a local charity supporting parents and children cope with a multitude of challenges experienced in family life, PCL’s Roving Healthcare Unit (RHU) team took part in two very successful drop-in immunisation events which took place during February half term, at Beaumont Leys Health Centre.
The practice was able to identify children which had yet to be immunised and parents were contacted to let them know the event was taking place. A further text reminder was also sent on the day.
The event team worked together to provide a relaxed and fun environment which was appealing to both parents and children. Parents were encouraged to chat, children were given stickers as a reward for successful immunisation, the vaccination team dressed up and even created a hopscotch for the children to play on.
Lindsay Woodward, CEO of Heads Up Leicester commented “It’s so important to base services around the service user. These two days were really successful because the clinic was walk-up, which meant parents had complete flexibility around when to attend. Also, because PCL’s RHU was cited in the health centre car park, it meant that children could be children and run about. It made for a much more relaxed atmosphere.”
Creating a relaxed, fun environment also supported the vaccination of children with special needs or challenging behaviour, who required more time and a patient approach before entering the RHU. It also allowed for more discussion with parents about a variety of health issues.
Lindsay concludes “These two days were really well attended – at several points we even had a queue! Life is hard for parents, they are juggling so many pressures. Finding the time to think about preventative health care can sometimes be a huge challenge. So these clinics worked perfectly for them. Parents loved that the service was so flexible and fun. It just shows you what can be achieved when you take a multi-system partner approach.”