Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust have kicked off their staff flu campaign with the help of coaching staff and players from Leeds United.

Head coach Uwe Rosler and first team players Alex Mowatt, Kalvin Phillips and Lewis Cook were joined by nurses from the trust at Thorp Arch to launch the annual campaign.

The trust is encouraging all frontline staff to have the flu jab to protect themselves, family and patients.

Liz Grogan, infection prevention and control nurse specialist at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Quality is at the heart of our approach to care delivery at the trust, which is one of the reasons why the flu jab is offered every year to all of our front line staff. It is particularly important for staff to have the flu vaccine if they are coming into contact with patients.

"Flu immunisation is one of the most effective interventions we can do to reduce harm from flu and pressures on health and social care services during the winter.

“Last year Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust was identified as the second best performing community organisation nationally with regards to flu vaccine uptake (67 per-cent of frontline staff), and this year we hope to do even better.”

A special flu fighter team will be touring health centres across the city during October and November giving staff the chance to be vaccinated in their place of work.

Leeds United head coach Uwe Rosler said: "Leeds United are proud to support the fantastic work of the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. It is important for the frontline staff to receive their flu jabs in order to protect themselves, their friends and their families, especially during the winter months when flu levels increase.

“We hope that by giving our backing to the campaign, the uptake is even higher this year." 

Evidence from a recent study shows that in hospital units where healthcare workers were offered the flu vaccine, there were estimated to be a third fewer deaths than in units where healthcare workers were not immunised.

The trust is also part of the national NHS Flu Fighter staff vaccination campaign which supports NHS trusts with staff flu campaigns.

For more information about the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, please click here.