LISTEN: "Don't throw Coronavirus progress away" warns regional BMA chief

By Q Radio news

A senior doctor in Northern Ireland says there's still a lot of work to be done - before restrictions can be eased in Northern Ireland.

Stormont Ministers are to meet on Thursday to review the current lockdown measures. 

They'll consider whether they will be eased or extended beyond the 5th of March.

However, the Chair of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland Tom Black says we still have high rates of infection in the community and a high number of hospital inpatients - which needs to be considered by the executive:

(Dr. Tom Black)

Responding to news that more than 15 million people have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the UK, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA GB council chair, said: “Reaching the 15 million first dose target - ahead of time, and to be the first nation in the EU to do so - is an extraordinary achievement; we are immensely proud of every single healthcare worker across the country for their dedication and countless hours they have spent protecting patients against this dreadful virus.

“This milestone shows exactly what happens when clinicians are allowed to lead from the front, unhindered by unnecessary bureaucracy or red tape as they focus on delivering vaccines to patients, and this must continue as we look to the next phase of the rollout.

“As we widen the net on vaccine eligibility, it’s also vital that the Government is clear in its messaging to the public, which must be culturally competent so that we maximise uptake in areas of deprivation and in black and minority ethnic populations.

We also need reassurance on sustained vaccine supplies, and urgent clarity on how mass vaccination centres will work alongside GP-led community sites and surgeries in order to prevent patient confusion and keep the momentum of this rollout going.

“Moving forward, the UK is ideally placed to assess the efficacy of the vaccine and its transmissibility, and it is important that the results of the Government’s surveillance are made known and which will inform decisions on easing lockdown and what levels of restrictions are necessary for vaccinated individuals.”