JLR puts wheels under efforts to roll out Covid-19 vaccinations - The Solihull Observer

JLR puts wheels under efforts to roll out Covid-19 vaccinations

Solihull Editorial 21st Jan, 2021   0

SOLIHULL car giant Jaguar Land Rover is lending a fleet of New Defenders to GPs, piloting two NHS trials and introducing a rehabilitation programme to help employees suffering ‘long Covid’ return to work.

Jaguar Land Rover has also teamed up with NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to lend 10 new Defenders to healthcare organisations across Birmingham and Solihull as vaccinations begin.

The vehicles were delivered over Christmas to University Hospital Birmingham, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and general practices throughout the area.

Healthcare staff are using them as they vaccinate care home residents and deliver vital equipment.




Paul Jennings, chief executive at NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG, said: “Working in partnership is extremely important to the NHS and the support and generosity of Jaguar Land Rover will assist with the smooth rollout of the vaccination programme across the patch.

“The vaccine rollout will be one of the greatest challenges the NHS has ever faced, but with the support of our partners we will achieve the goal of returning to a normal way of life.”


The Castle Bromwich Experience Centre will be converted into a Covid-19 vaccination research hub, hosting follow-up appointments for volunteers who received initial injections at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Alongside this, to ensure a Covid-19-safe workplace, Jaguar Land Rover is taking part in an NHS pilot scheme to support rapid Covid-19 testing across all its UK sites.

Sav Sehmi, a programme engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, benefited from the programme after suffering exhaustion and stiff, aching muscles following his return to work in August. He said: “The occupational health team recognised my long Covid symptoms and referred me to the Wellbeing Centre at Solihull.

“I instantly started to notice the difference as the sessions were individually tailored and allowed specific muscles to be targeted.

“It is now 10 months post Covid-19 and I am starting to feel much better and stronger, which is testament to the rehabilitation programme and occupational health team.”

Dr Steve Iley, chief medical officer at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The health and safety of our employees, customers and their families remain of utmost importance. We are proud to continue to work with the NHS, Public Health England and the Department of Health to help people throughout the region to bounce back from this global pandemic.”

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Solihull Observer newspaper.