Jenni is a pharmacist working in a Western Sydney hospital and was one of the first people in her community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated on the first day of the rollout at Rosedale Medical Practice, Jenni shared that she was very pleased that her GP was amongst the first selected by the federal government to administer the vaccine and grateful that she could receive her vaccination so quickly.
Rosedale Medical Practice in West Pennant Hills launched their COVID-19 vaccine clinic on the 22nd March and provided close to 80 vaccinations within the first day. Jenni has been a patient at Rosedale for over twenty years since her family first moved to the area. She attended the vaccination clinic with her daughter.
Dr Jaspreet Saini, Principal GP and Director of Rosedale, has been leading the rollout and has been at the forefront of administering the vaccine and ensuring high-quality patient care. Dr Saini spoke with patients in groups of four to run through the vaccine process and explain the possible side effects and aftercare measures. Patients also received a questionnaire to check their current and historical health.
After receiving the vaccine, patients waited for 15 minutes under the observation of staff. Jenni’s daughter, who was also vaccinated on day one of the rollout, felt slightly dizzy and was attended to by staff until she felt well to leave. Jenni described the vaccination experience as incredibly positive, ‘There was a real community feel. Everyone in the group felt reassured and cared for by staff. There was a great sense of relief’.
Jenni described feeling groggy within 24 hours of receiving the vaccine. Her colleagues at the hospital reported similar side effects after the vaccine. Jenni stated that, as health workers, hospital staff felt reassured by the reaction, which demonstrated that their immune systems were responding effectively to the vaccine. Jenni shared that most people she knew had now had the vaccine, including her 80-year-old parents, who experienced no side effects at all. ‘As a health professional, there is a risk versus benefit analysis, and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. It is highly worthwhile getting the vaccine, and I think everyone is relieved to have access to it,’ said Jenni. ‘We have been less impacted by COVID-19 here in Australia than overseas, so it’s understandable for people to be hesitant. But we want to move on as a country, and no longer live in fear’.
Since starting the rollout, Rosedale has continued to adapt their vaccination clinic to respond to the needs of its patients. The practice has regularly updated the information on their website, and patients now have the option to sit outside under new marquees whilst their vaccine is administered.
Rosedale Medical Practice is one of 24 general practices in Western Sydney that have formally partnered with WentWest embarking on the Patient Centred Medical Home (PCMH) journey, embracing the principles of coordinated, comprehensive, accessible and continuing patient centred care. WentWest has been working with health providers such as Rosedale to implement the PCMH model to revolutionise health systems in Western Sydney and place patient care at the heart of the primary health sector.
This information is correct as of 20 May 2021.