The Hub
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We trotted off on Saturday afternoon to receive our jabs.
We had booked our appointments at The Hub, a community hall on a growing estate, not far from where we live. Buckler's Park is full of forbidding, unfriendly-looking houses.
We had each received further encouragement from the NHS to book our appointments – I had one, Barry had three! - alongside reminders to turn up for the ones we had booked.
The Hub Opened in Spring 2025, but the location has still not been picked up by TomTom. Although it is only around three minutes from our house by car, we drove round and round in circles ignoring TomTom as it tried to persuade us to travel to a village several miles away.
We asked a passerby if he knew where The Hub was, and he said, ‘You’re the third people who’ve asked me for directions this afternoon.’ It transpired that we were close to it. We had expected it to be quite quiet and therefore easy to find a parking space. We were wrong! It was packed.
The clinic, if such it could be called, was very efficiently organised. We were checked in at the door and then again at the jab station, of which there were several. My name was missing from the list despite the palaver we had gone through a couple of weeks previously and the assurance that everything was in order. The lady checking off names on her list added my details in pencil, alongside others whose names had been omitted.
Anyway, all is done, a stab in each arm and no ill effects.
I wonder how many reminders we will receive this week?
congratulations - well done- Flu is traveling around here like wild fire- going out into the land of viruses keeps me in even though I have been sufficiently jabbed. People make me nervous.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that that job is over with. But mix ups are frustrating.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's good to have it out of the way again.
DeleteYay! I'm glad you've got it done. We're holding off until next month hoping that the shots will be even more potent for some huge get-togethers in line for January and then an overseas trip in February. I love your term "jab." "Shot" does seem almost more painful, I think.
ReplyDeleteI think you're wise, particularly as you're leaving 'home territory.'
DeleteGood on you for getting those vaccines.
ReplyDeleteNow our children cannot nag us . . .
DeleteThank goodness the NHS is taking their responsibilities seriously, and yours as well.
ReplyDeleteI just wish the NHS administration was better . . .
DeleteI got my jabs early last week at our local hospital (Alberta, Canada). Forgive me but what is Tom Tom? It sounds like a GPS system?
ReplyDeleteYou're right - TomTom is a GPS system. I don't know what names systems go by in other countries. We used to have Garmin.
DeleteWe're booked in for covid vaccs on Friday. Flu vaccs were last week. Then we'll be all done!
ReplyDeleteIt's satisfying to have it out of the way.
DeleteI have been hearing tales of woe about the new online booking system for the flu jab appointments. Our surgery uses the same one over here. I made my appointment easily enough but on the morning I was due to attend I received an urgent text message advising me that I had been booked into the wrong venue. A few other people had "missing " appointments.
ReplyDeleteAh well. All done now!
Oh, my goodness! If only the NHS had opted for a decent IT system . . . and all medical practices and hospitals had adopted it.
DeleteMine booked me in twice, I don't know why, the lady on reception said it had happened a few times, my jabs both in same arm......
ReplyDeleteYou do have to wonder how people manage. It's time consuming and potentially dangerous. Both jabs in one arm - how do you feel?
DeleteNot too bad, they ensure they are not too close, but i often get a reaction.
DeleteTake care!
DeleteYour account perfectly captures the small comedy of modern logistics, from missing names to overzealous reminders
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't laugh you'd weep!
DeleteIt's fun isn't it? Double bookings and reminders. Apparently though even AI can tell fibs, so be on your guard.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a circus . . .
DeleteGood that you got your shots in spite of the round about path. Canada could probably provide some vaxes to those in the U.S., as i expect vaxes to become available on an underground market soon. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteVaccines seem to be a bit of a lottery in US, to say the least!
DeleteThe Hub is cleverly disguised as a pair of town houses. I guess this helps to reduce demand and keeps visitors where they belong - lost on a tightly packed housing estate. "The Hub" also sounds like the name of a night club.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find a photograph of The Hub, but it's a very uninspiring building, rather like a large sports hall.
Deletemy word that Hub looks likd so many new buildings in new towns and subdivisions all over the country - all pressed out of the same mold. Same lack of character. Will they last long enough to even develop a patina?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. They're expensive, poorly insulated, and ugly. They're frequently for resale, too.
DeleteWe had our flu and covid shots just the other day. No appointments our County the health department just sets up sites to offer the shots with particular hours and you just show up and wait your turn. Never more than 15 or 20 minutes before we get our shots. I enjoyed seeing your photo of the area.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have that 'turn up and queue' system. It worked. I think this one is marginally better.
DeleteNice to have that done and over with
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteThe Hub. That's the nickname for the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Not because the city is laid out in a spoke and wheel pattern, but because it's the Hub of the Universe. 🤣And it's just as difficult to get in and out of as your Hub.
ReplyDelete🤣😂
ReplyDeleteI get crazy when my satnav makes me turn in circles ! Finally it ended up smoothly and you got your jab. I always end up in a field with cows. Maybe my Garmin is attracted by cows.
ReplyDeleteYou have to keep your wits about you, since often every farm gateway is thought to be a road!
DeleteOther than trying to find the hub and your name missing, it seemed to go somewhat smoothly?
ReplyDeletePar for the course, really. 😉
DeleteWe originally had big, dedicated clinics for our C-jabs, but now we just make arrangements with local pharmacies, which I think is odd. Same applies for the flu shot. I don’t know about the RSV, which I think is more elusive. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll have to make a note of it before I forget again.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have the RSV vaccination - obviously, we haven't caught on, yet!
DeleteWell done. We still havent arranged ours yet. We will have to do it soon. Thankz for the reminder
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to let it slip by.
ReplyDeleteAll those reminders and STILL you weren't on the list!
ReplyDeleteWhat a confusing journey you had! Glad you got it done and I hope for no I'll effects for you!
No, all well, thank you.
DeleteVery good
ReplyDeleteAt least it's done now.
DeleteSatnavs aren't always very savvy, we actually do constant battle with ours. We've got an (old) TomTom but our new car came with its very own device, and they are often contradictory!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it in the end and that the jabs were done in spite of you not being on the list! xxx
Likewise. We have TomTom and mobile 'phone navigation and they often disagree. It makes life interesting, if nothing else, unless we're in a hurry, which we usually aren't these days.
DeleteThanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteneed to get my own flu jab.
Make sure you do. There are a lot of nasty viruses doing the rounds in London.
DeleteI'll bet it feels good to have that taken care of.
ReplyDeleteI got the first dose of the shingles vaccine recently which was something I had been putting off for years.
I hope you had no ill effects from it. Even so, they are preferable to the illness itself.
DeleteWell at least it's done.
ReplyDeleteQuite!
DeleteHopefully, the jab is more effective than the directions! Glad to hear you're protected from the bugs for the winter!
ReplyDelete🤣😂
Delete🤣😂
DeleteI wonder how they new to send reminders but not have you on the list. I am glad you make the comment about the houses. I thought that myself, forbidding is a good word
ReplyDeleteThose houses seem to loom over you, particularly as the roads are not very wide. Not much front garden, either.
DeleteWell, it's done ... that's good :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. 😊
DeleteWhich just reminds me that I need to make an appointment with my doctor's office...
ReplyDeleteGood! 😁
DeleteAnother tick on the what needs to be done list. I had the flu one yesterday. I now just go to the local chemist. No need to book. No queue and no waiting. Can't have a Covid one as I'm 6 mths too young!
ReplyDeleteSome of my adult children pay for their Covid jabs. The others take their chances . . .
Delete