"If people are hesitant at all, you just want a really big front door": a rapid qualitative interview study on the Luton COVID-19 vaccination outreach clinics

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of evidence on the usefulness, practicality, and acceptance of vaccination outreach clinics in the community especially during pandemics. In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences, motivations and perceptions of service users, health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, and community workers involved in the COVID-19 vaccination outreach clinics in Luton.

METHODS

Semi structured face to face, telephone, online interviews, and focus groups were conducted with 31 participants including health professionals, strategic staff, volunteers, community workers and service users. The Framework Method was used to analyse the data and generate themes.

RESULTS

Service users expressed positivity towards the convenience and familiarity of the location of the vaccination outreach clinics and the flexibility of receiving the vaccination in a local setting. Participants involved in the planning and delivery of the service commented on the worthwhile and rewarding experience but suggested more attention should be given to preparation time, service user recruitment, the working environment, and staff welfare.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 mobile vaccination outreach clinics in Luton tested and developed a different model of service delivery and demonstrated a collaborative way of working: "taking the health service to the patient, not the patient to the health service". Planning and local community engagement were seen as key to successful delivery of a mobile healthcare service.

Macrocellular silicone foam for mechanically retaining orbital prostheses

The prosthesis processed with the technique described has a fitting surface that is smooth and glossy, a soft and uniformly compressible foam-filled mass to engage severe undercuts, and a lightweight mass for the completed prosthesis. The technique described increases laboratory time. However, the lightweight prosthesis provides intrinsic mechanical retention that justifies the extra time. Moreover, the controllable uniform compressibility of the foam-filled extension and the improved surface characteristics of the silicone fitting surface minimize the possibility of producing trauma while the prosthesis is inserted, worn, or removed by the patient.

A semi-rigid transparent face mask in the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars

Scars, following burns to the face or subsequent skin grafts, can become hypertrophic. The concept of pressure in their treatment is not new. Elastic garments have been popularised and used successfully. However, they have certain limitations. To date, very little reference has been made in the literature to the use of masks. The use of a semi-rigid face mask in the treatment of hypertrophic scars is described. These masks are comfortable to wear, well tolerated and very effective. Case reports are presented and the technique of manufacture detailed.