Mull nurses hot foot it to deliver vaccines

Community nurses on Mull are tackling wild terrain and the elements on foot to vaccinate residents.

District nurse Moira Westland and staff nurse Cara Donnelly have been going the extra mile to get Covid-19 vaccinations to remote clients by relying on their own two feet to reach remote residents’ homes that are not easily accessible from the roads.

District nurse Moira Westland has also been walking to reach some of Mull’s most remote homes to give residents their Covid vaccinations

Most of the island’s roads are single-track and narrow, with off road trails to get to some places surrounded by wilderness and high cliffs plunging to the sea, secret sandy beaches and rocky coves.

Moira said that determination to keep the vaccination programme on target is powering her on.

‘My priority is keeping my team safe and reaching the most vulnerable residents here on the island as quickly as possible. The programme rollout has been a group effort which we’re delighted to be involved in. Residents can be assured that even with the winter pressures, we are determined to stay on target with the island vaccination programme.

‘I really enjoy my job. The vaccination programme is a really good example of challenges we have to overcome due to the rural location of some of the residents living on the island.’

Cara, who grew up in Barra and only transferred to Mull in September after a time nursing in Glasgow, said extra layers and thermal wellies are also helping get the job done.

Sta nurse Cara Donnelly has been going the extra mile on foot to get Covid-19 vaccinations to remote clients.

‘Moira and I both chose to be nurses because of the desire to help

people and care “for them in rural settings. I grew up in Barra and my nursing career took me to Glasgow to train and work and in September I transferred to the Isle of Mull. I am relatively new to rural nursing and the complex challenges which can occur in remote and rural areas, but Moira has been an excellent mentor and takes the lead on ensuring risk assessments are carried out to ensure our own daily wellbeing and safety. ‘The people of Mull can be assured that

we are surging ahead with the vaccine programme and with our extra layers and thermal wellies on, we The people of are determined to meet our Mull can be targets.’ assured that we are surging At the latest Oban Community Council meeting, councillor Kieron Green ahead with paid tribute to the people of the vaccine Argyll and Bute for sticking programme. to Scottish Government guidelines. He said by following regulations they were driving virus cases down.