A proud mum has praised NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff for the “fantastic” care her son received during his COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
Ryan Molloy attended the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital last month – and his mum Pauline was so delighted by what happened that she wrote to thank those involved.
“They treated him like a celebrity,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience.”
And Pauline had special praise for Theresa McCulloch, Community Learning Disability Nurse with the NHSGGC Adult Learning Disability Team.
“It was like winning the lottery when I met Theresa,” Pauline said. “She did so much in the background to help.”
Ryan, 24, who has learning disabilities and complex medical needs, has been shielding for more than a year now, so the prospect of getting him vaccinated was a daunting one for Pauline.
“Because of the nature of Ryan’s health needs, it took a lot to make the arrangements,” former community nurse Pauline said. “Because of my job, I knew something about what was involved, but even for me it was a big task.
“It took several weeks to arrange, and was a lot of hard work for the Learning Disabilities team.
“Theresa did so much in the background to help, making arrangements and looking at potential venues which had the facilities Ryan needed.”
Eventually, they settled on NHS Louisa Jordan and, when the big day arrived, Ryan went along with his dad John.
“My husband John was getting his vaccination as well,” Pauline said, “so it was decided that they could go together.”
She added: “On the day, Ryan was terrified as we entered the vaccination centre because he didn’t know what lay ahead. However, Joanne from security went out of her way to understand his needs, and make any adjustments he needed.
“In the end, he loved being there. It was like a day out.
“The nurse who vaccinated him, Elaine Anderson, took fantastic care of him and, after he’d got the vaccine, he was there for a wee while just to check he was OK.
“They treated him like a celebrity! Lots of nurses who had cared for him over the years dropped in to visit him.
“All in all it was a wonderful experience – almost like a family day out. Everyone was fantastic, and the atmosphere was amazing.”
Ryan is one of hundreds of thousands of people across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who have received the vaccine. The health board has administered more than 600,000 doses since the rollout began in December.
NHSGGC has been running 17 community vaccination centres and uptake of the vaccine has been extremely high. In line with national guidance, NHSGGC is on track to give a first dose of the vaccine to all those aged over 50 years, unpaid carers and people aged 16 to 64 years who have underlying health conditions by the middle of this month.
Pauline appealed to anyone who receives an invitation to go and get their vaccine.
“There was a real sense of hope at the centre when Ryan got vaccinated,” she said. “It’s been such a hard year for all of us, and getting the vaccine is the only way we can beat the virus.
“Ryan usually went to the day centre six days a week, and he hasn’t understood why can’t go any more. But the amazing care of our NHS staff has brought a return to normal life that one step closer.
“It’s so important we all get vaccinated.”