FSS* colleagues have sent a thank-you to their super ‘flu-buster Kathy Kershaw as the end of another campaign keeping everyone safe draws to a close.

Clinical Governance Midwife Kathy, who’s been at CHFT for 42 years, has been a key member of the F&SS team’s immunising efforts for the past few years. Together with Elaine Brotherton and other immunisers she has been hosting drop-ins and when they end she’s been touring the wards with any unused vaccines.

She’s just completed the huge task of emailing around to bring their flu take-up data up-to-date and for all her efforts got a thank-you card.

She said: “  I have never had a flu and always had the vaccine. I think it is very important. People do not realise the impact flu can have even on younger people. People can die from it.

“Having the jabs means you are protecting yourself, your family and our patients.”

FSS is so far this year’s best Operational Division for flu jab take up with 73% of frontline staff immunised and traditionally always has a high take-up rate.

Associate Director of Nursing for F&SS, Karen Spencer said "Kathy hasn’t just given her dedication this year, she’s been our lead her in F&SS for several years.

"It’s hard work for all our immunisers to do this on top of their day job, and we rely on them to help support patient and staff safety, and Kathy steps up year-after-year to support the winter flu campaign, with the same keenness and enthusiasm each year."

Kathy added, with a laugh: “I think I got the thank-you card to shut me up.”

She’s looking forward to a break but then planning for next year’s campaign will be starting and then it’s off again.

Well done Kathy.

*Families and Specialist Services

Still time to to get yours

• The campaign is open until 29th February and colleagues can get theirs by calling Occupational Health on CRH 2039, or by getting in touch with their peer immunisers.
• Then on 4th March every colleague who has had theirs will be entered into a prize draw to win a night away for two people, with a meal and travel*
• If you had yours outside of the Trust you are eligible as long as you tell us - please declare it here or call Occupational Health with your full name and date of birth so they can update your record.

It's the Yorke Arms in the beautiful North Yorkshire Nidderdale Valley and the prize can be taken on any Saturday in April.