Alwen Williams in conversation with Iain Duncan Smith | Our news

Alwen Williams, the Barts Health group chief executive, was interviewed by Sir Iain Duncan Smith recently on the Chingford MP’s Facebook page.

They had an extensive discussion about the Covid-19 vaccine, the Whipps Cross redevelopment, and current winter pressures.

On the imminent vaccine roll-out

Alwen said "we know that the Pfizer vaccine, which has been approved, does have very specific storage requirements. We're hopeful that there will be other vaccines authorised in the very near future."

"What we look forward to, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and then into January, is the rollout of a comprehensive mobilisation of a number of vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine is likely to be targeted to hospitals like Whipps Cross, and other hospitals around the country," Alwen said.

"At the moment we're coping with the second peak of Covid and we're also dealing with winter pressures, and also doing our very best to keep our elective planned care work going – so there's a lot of pressure currently within the NHS. Targeting hospitals and care home staff initially (with Covid-19 vaccination) safeguards our ability to deliver the care we need to during the winter months."

On the Whipps Cross redevelopment

Alwen said "currently Whipps Cross is a very old hospital. We have lots of buildings that are separate from the main corridor. With the new design, it means that we'll be bringing services together."

"What we're trying to do with the redevelopment of Whipps Cross is not only to secure a brand new, modern hospital for the future and long term, but use this as a real opportunity to make sure that we improve the pathways of care between primary care, community, and hospital."

Asked about retaining the Margaret Centre at the new Whipps Cross site, Alwen said, "I can assure everybody that the Margaret Centre and the services that it provides will continue in the new hospital."

You can watch the full interview here.