Liverpool Women's is in the country's Top Twenty for staff flu jab uptake

Patients of Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust can feel safer this winter knowing that it has achieved one of the highest vaccination rates among hospital staff anywhere in the country, according to new government figures.

The Department of Health's Winter Watch report places Liverpool Women's in the top 20 out of 402 health trusts in England with 71.3 per cent of frontline staff having the vaccine. The national average was 43 per cent.

Flu jabs are not compulsory among NHS staff but are an important part of patient care, preventing flu from spreading to colleagues, family members and, importantly, to vulnerable patients for whom it can be fatal.

Cheryl Barber, Occupational Health Manager and the Trust's specialist nurses have worked hard to encourage colleagues to be vaccinated by helping staff to get a jab conveniently, including holding regular drop-in clinics. The Trust has also supported the campaign to persuade pregnant women to have the jab as they are among the "at risk" groups.

Chief Executive Kathryn Thomson said: "The safety of our patients is paramount so it is immensely reassuring to know that we are now very well protected should there be a flu epidemic. I am delighted with the results of our campaign and with the way in which our staff have pulled together to get a great result. Having a jab is a fantastic thing to do, especially for our staff who spend many hours each day with patients, some of whom, including pregnant women and premature babies, are particularly vulnerable."

The success was helped by the first ever national NHS campaign run by the NHS Employers organisation which provided posters and other publicity material . Its focus was "busting myths" about flu vaccinations and making it easier for staff to get a jab conveniently.

Gail Naylor (Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Patient Experience) receiving her flu jab