University building becomes vaccination hub for NHS Highland staff

The University of the Highlands and Islands is supporting NHS Highland's work to vaccinate frontline health and social care staff. The university has opened its Centre for Health Science building in Inverness as a COVID-19 vaccination hub for NHS workers.

NHS Highland will start using the centre from today (Tuesday 19 January) and the hub will operate seven days a week to ensure health and social care staff can be vaccinated as efficiently as possible.

Wendy Wallace, the university's Facilities Manager, explains: "We received an enquiry about using the Centre for Health Science as a vaccination hub for NHS Highland health and social care staff last week. The building is located close to Raigmore Hospital and many of our teaching rooms are not being used at the moment because most of our students are studying online. We are delighted to be able to support NHS Highland colleagues by making our building available."

Pam Dudek, NHS Highland Chief Executive, said: "We are expecting to vaccinate tens of thousands of people over the next few weeks. The support we have had and been offered to help us with this has been very much appreciated and we are grateful to the team at the University of the Highlands and Islands for their help and letting us use the Centre for Health Science as a place where we can vaccinate our frontline staff. 

"These have been very challenging times for everyone but it is heartening to know that so many are willing to support us during this period and I would like to extend my thanks to them."