NURSES have been ensuring Glasgow's homeless population is protected during the coronavirus crisis by taking vaccines in to the community.

Vulnerable and socially excluded people often find it hard to keep appointments - so Advanced Nurse Practitioners have been going to them.

Medical staff have been giving out jags at the Lodging House Mission in the city centre.

Kirsty Paterson, the senior advanced nurse practitioner who co-ordinates and delivers the vaccine programme, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to do this work and to help some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable communities to get their vaccines and boosters.

"Once word spread that we were here at the Lodging House we were surprised, but really pleased to see a queue outside the door.

"The response has been fantastic.”

Glasgow City’s Health and Social Care Partnership’s Complex Needs Service - previously known as Homeless Health Service - support around 450 people at any one time.

The people they see often have addiction issues, mental health issues and often really poor physical health.

At the first clinic last week, 36 jags were administered – and the team hope more people will attend for vaccines as more people hear about the weekly clinic.

Lisa Ross, Service Manager at the service, said: “Some of the people we work with have very complex health and care needs.

"A severe covid infection could be fatal. 

"Throughout the pandemic, our team has been reaching out to vulnerable communities, going where they are and providing a service which helps to save lives.

"We’re grateful to the Lodging House Mission for their help in the vaccination efforts and we’ll continue to do everything we can in the fight against this virus.”

June Macleod, Manager at the Lodging House Mission, added: “We’re delighted to have the vaccination clinic on site.

"A lot of our guys have underlying health issues and don’t engage and don’t often keep appointments, so bringing the vaccinations to them is a big help.

"The team have been fantastic and we’re really excited to see who might come to the next clinic, we know there’s been a real buzz as words spreads.

"It’s been great working alongside our colleagues from the health board in the fight against covid helping to keep vulnerable people and our communities safe.”

The vaccination clinic will continue to operate every Tuesday at the Lodging House Mission’s premises on East Campbell Street.