Newcastle College, part of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) have been presented with a commemorative plaque from the Newcastle Central Primary Care Network (PCN) for the exceptional support given by The Gordon Banks Sports Centre and the College during the national Covid-19 pandemic.

The Newcastle Central PCN consists of six General Practices – Higherland Surgery, Lyme Valley Practice, Milehouse Medical Practice, Miller Street Surgery, The Village Surgery and Wolstanton Medical Centre. A staggering 20,000 patients from across these practices attended The Gordon Banks Sports Centre facilities to receive their first and second dose Covid-19 vaccinations between December 2020 and April 2021.

Dr Omar Hussain, Newcastle Central PCN Clinical Director, Carrie Stockley, Wolstanton Medical Practice Manager, Rachel Thornley, Miller Street Surgery Practice Manager and Sana Tahir, Newcastle Central PCN Business Manager were all in attendance to surprise NSCG Principal Karen Dobson OBE, with the commemorative plaque.

Dr Omar Hussain said: “This was an exceptional moment for the Newcastle Central PCN, and the reason for its seamless operation was the invaluable support we had received from all the staff at NSCG Newcastle College and The Gordon Banks Sports Centre over the 5 months. On behalf of the Newcastle Central PCN I want to say thank you – we came together as a cohesive unit and delivered a successful programme. The plaque is a small token of our appreciation to look back on in years to come so as to remember the pivotal role that the College played in the success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.”

On receiving the plaque on behalf of Newcastle College, Principal Karen Dobson OBE said: “At NSCG we are committed to serving our community and we were only too delighted to help when we were approached by our local PCN. This plaque is a wonderful symbol of the community spirit shown throughout this pandemic. NHS staff from the Central PCN and our own Gordon Banks Sports Centre have supported each other tremendously to ensure that the local vaccine rollout was a success in the fight against Covid-19. It will serve as a wonderful reminder that when times were tough, we came together to support the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme when they needed it most.” (Main image Carrie Stockley (Wolstanton Medical Practice Manager) and Principal Karen Dobson OBE receiving the plaque message.)