THE doctor in charge of Darlington's vaccination programme has promised "nobody will be left behind," as she moved to reassure everyone in the area will be offered a vaccine in the town.

Dr Amanda Riley, Clinical Director of the Darlington Primary Care Network and Chief Executive Officer at Primary Healthcare Darlington, made the comments as she provided an update on its progress.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Dr Riley revealed how many people had received the vaccine through the programme while reminding all remaining residents they had not been "forgotten."

The programme, which is based at the vaccination site at Feethams House, is being run by the Darlington Primary Care Network - which covers eleven GP surgeries across the town.

Dr Riley said: "We're really proud of the work that we have achieved in less than a month, almost three weeks.

"By the end of the weekend, we will have issued more than 10,000 vaccines and the feedback from the people through the system has been really positive.

"Staff have been working extremely hard and we've now got it down to an art."

Dr Riley, who said the team had seen GPs, nurses and pharmacists come forward to help in the mammoth operation, revealed it had vaccinated more than 1,000 people in a care home setting and 570 people in their own homes so far.

She said: "We're proud that we have made that effort to get those numbers up quickly for the most vulnerable people."

Discussing supply, Dr Riley said that the Darlington Primary Care Network had not witnessed a "decline" in supply despite some clinics in the region reporting constraints.

She said: "We are getting our vaccine delivery once a week, we are not seeing vaccine supplies dwindle.

"We'd still like more vaccines as I'd like to be able to do this even faster, but I haven't seen a decline in supply since we started."

After launching, the programme initially offered vaccines to those most vulnerable - people aged 80 and above, but last week began to offer vaccines to those aged over 75.

But offering reassurance to those waiting to hear from the Primary Care Network team, Dr Riley said no-one had been "forgotten."

She said: "To give those still waiting some reassurance, they are on our list, they haven't been forgotten. I will make a personal pledge that we won't leave anyone behind.

"As one huge Primary Care Network for the whole town, we have got thousands of people to get through.

"We are telephoning people but it's taking an awful long time to get through as some of those we are contacting may be hard of hearing, or we may have to explain it in more detail for them - but we will be in contact with you."

Explaining the difference between the national booking system and the Darlington Primary Care Network, Dr Riley said every resident in the town has the choice of using a mass vaccination centre, or the Feethams House site.

She said: "People will receive a letter from us when it's their turn to come in. We promise we will be in contact if you have registered with a GP in Darlington.

"The national booking system is separate to the system being run by GPs separately.

"Whilst the NHS is sending out letters to everyone that is vulnerable - this is just part of a choice that people have.

"If they are fit and can go outside of Darlington, then they can choose a mass vaccination site, but anyone who wants a vaccine in Darlington will have a vaccine in Darlington."

Urging concerned residents not to call the GP to book an appointment, she said: "Please don’t call the GP, the number of calls is blocking the lines for people that need to see a doctor on that day.

"I know everybody is worried and stressed about getting a vaccine, but GPs cannot make an appointment for you. If people have changed their contact details it is worth contacting the GP as we do use those details."

Tomorrow, Dr Riley will be answering your questions on the Covid vaccine.