When an emergency takes off, Friday teatime is probably the worst imaginable time to rally..

But our Community Team rose to the call when there were fears of a meningitis potential outbreak at a Calderdale care home.

Two  elderly patients had been admitted to CRH  and their blood tests had revealed the virus so it was essential that all the other residents in the care home and all its staff received prophylaxis antibiotics and then a follow up vaccination asap to keep them safe.

The team of six worked together to get the antibiotics  and  sign off a patient group directive allowing the staff to administer them within the crucial 48 hour timeslot required.  70 elderly patients, care home staff had received the life-saving  medication and jab.

Fortunately the immunisation team who normally immunise children were back at work the first week of September and they effectively immunized  within a day all the residents and staff no mean feat !!

Quest Matron Lindsay Oates, said: " It was exceedingly hectic, to say the least.  There was a short timescale, yet we managed to deliver and it was a brilliant team effort. It is nice to get this award for the team."

Community pharmacist Jo Kelly, added: " Meningitis could be very serious in vulnerable people. We worked with Public Heath England and the CCG to ensure everyone who needed protecting that weekend received the protection."

The others were Sue Martin, District Nurse who triaged phone calls to allow the other staff to carry out the work, Morgana Gosnal-Tyler, District Nurse, Leanne Hobson, Out of Hours District Nursing Team and the Immunisation Team Jo Greidanus, Annalisa Dance, Annette Scaife, Justine Blenkarn, Sam Wainwright, Jayne Walton and Michelle Brady.

Mandy Gibbons-Phelan, nominated the team, saying: " I am extremely proud of this achievement .This was a fantastic commitment from community teams. They went above and beyond and were  responsive and committed to keeping the residents and staff safe."