JCB factory transformed to deliver COVID-19 jabs

Compact Products plant in Cheadle converted into medical facility to vaccinate up to 40,000 people

PART of a JCB factory in Staffordshire has been converted into a medical facility to allow a team of doctors to vaccinate up to 40,000 people against COVID-19.

The company has teamed up with a group of GPs in the Staffordshire Moorlands and transformed part of its Compact Products plant in Cheadle, Staffordshire, into a vaccination centre.

The factory – which manufactures mini-excavators – opened its doors to patients for the first time last Friday as the doctors and their teams began the massive vaccination programme.

Jessica Harding, practice manager at Well Street Medical Centre in Cheadle, is part of the co-ordination team leading the project on behalf of seven local practices.

She said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be getting under way with our vaccination programme at JCB Compact Products.

‘It’s an enormous undertaking to vaccinate 40,000 people from seven different GP surgeries and the support we have received from JCB has been incredible.

‘JCB have invested a huge amount of time and money in providing us with a first-class facility and we are immensely grateful.’

JCB’s company doctor, Jonathan Graham, said: ‘As the biggest employer in the Staffordshire Moorlands, we are extremely happy to help our local GPs deliver such a hugely important vaccination programme.

‘Many of those receiving their injections at JCB Compact Products will have family members who work for the company, so we naturally wanted to help.’