Woman praises 'polite and helpful' staff at Hemel Hempstead Covid vaccination centre

A woman has praised the volunteers at the vaccination centre in Hemel Hempstead after taking her mum there earlier this week.

The woman took her 96-year-old mum, who lives in Berkhamsted, to the vaccination centre at Maxted Road on Tuesday evening, after her mum received a text from her GP.

She said: "I want to praise all the staff at the unit, they were all so friendly, well organised, caring and helpful. I cannot praise them enough.

"I realise lots of them were volunteers, and working long hours to help. They were amazing.

"On the first day when you could book an appointment I went online for my mum and managed to get an appointment in Stevenage for today (Thursday), but later that day my mum got a text from her GP and I rang them and she got an appointment at the one in Hemel, it was all very quick.

"When we got there it was clearly signposted and we were met at the car by a lady who asked us to fill out a form and asked us to go in five minutes before time of vaccination.

"Mother having a 'walker frame' used the ramp at the side of the building, the man not only directed us but walked in front of us reassuring my mother not to rush.

"Of course mother was being anxious but didn’t show it and he made her feel so at ease and that was the start of our experience .

"The desk staff, the helpers making sure everyone were okay whilst waiting beforehand or waiting afterwards for the 15 minutes, were again wonderful.

"The nurses/staff actually giving the vaccination again were so caring and not rushing you, so made my mother feel totally at ease.

"They were all so polite and helpful, and it was all genuine, they should all be praised and recognised for that.

"Once inside, it was all clearly spaced out and after she had her vaccine there were people regularly checking that she was okay and we were back in the car before 6.30pm.

"It was very well organised and everyone was so helpful and polite."