As we move into another week of the national lockdown, I am pleased to hear that more local people are now receiving vaccinations. I know many of you are concerned that you haven’t heard about your either own vaccine or one for loved ones. Please don’t worry. You will be contacted by the NHS and I know of more people who are being contacted every day.
With three vaccines now approved for us in the UK, we are leading the world in this key response to the pandemic. In Staffordshire, tens of thousands of people are receiving the vaccine every week, including at GP surgeries and in care homes. It is really lovely when I hear about another vaccine that has been delivered meaning that we are protecting more and more of those most vulnerable to the virus all the time.
Whilst the vaccines are great news, the NHS is under the most tremendous pressure. The Chief Executive of the NHS said at the weekend that there is a new Covid patient admission to hospital every 30 seconds. Can I urge everyone to follow the guidelines and take personal responsibility. I know how hard this is, but we will not get through this without us all playing our part.
On another topic, access to public transport is a concern for many so it is really good to hear that Staffordshire County Council’s bid for funding from the Rural Mobility Fund has passed the first hurdle. Staffordshire is one of just 17 local authorities going into phase two of the process.
There is £20 million of funding available to find new ways to provide public transport to rural areas. The Moorlands would really benefit from this fund if Staffordshire were to be successful and I am supporting the bid wholeheartedly.
