"It’s only in the last few years that I've come to learn how important it is to protect ourselves and in doing so our families and service users.
"I hadn’t appreciated how vulnerable the young people, the elders and the unwell in our families are to flu until a colleague shared her frightening experience of nearly losing her life to flu whilst having treatment for cancer. I've made sure I get my jab ever since."
Roisin Fallon-Williams, Chief Executive
"The question is more about why I shouldn’t get a vaccination rather than why should I. As an NHS employee we have an obligation to care for patients and our staff and if something can reduce the likelihood of catching a bug and passing it on, it seems stupid not to take advantage. Sound commonsense, I say."
Dave Tomlinson, Executive Director of Partnerships
"I have always believed that as a registered healthcare professional and someone who deeply cares about the mental and physical well-being of colleagues, service users and their families that it is incumbent of me to offer as much protection from harm as I am able to. One way for me to do this is by making sure that I have my flu vaccination each year. I never want to be in the position where someone I work or live alongside is harmed or worse still dies from a flu related illness which could have prevented this.
"Having your flu vaccine is one way to demonstrate that we live our values of:
- Compassion
- Commitment
- Dignity and Respect
- Openness and Honesty
"Here are some key points to consider:
- Flu causes an average of 8,000 deaths a year in England alone and contributes significantly to NHS winter pressures.
- Health and social care workers are at increased risk of contracting flu and infecting patients, colleagues, and their own family and friends.
Staff members who contract influenza virus will have mild or no symptoms, but may still be infectious."
Sue Hartley, Executive Director of Nursing
