'A chain of beautiful collaborations' is how Heleen Glazema describes the past period. As project manager COVID-19 vaccination locations at the GGD regio Utrecht (GGDrU), she had never heard of the words 'lean' or 'crowd management'. And yet she had to apply it at the XL test pavilion and the vaccination site at Jaarbeurs. We talk to her about an intense period of pioneering and the bright sides of a dramatic situation.
Finding suitable location
Glazema has worked at the GGDrU for 15 years. Her responsibilities include setting up customer contact centres and supervising projects around vaccination coverage. When it became clear that testing on a larger scale was needed, she and the municipality of Utrecht started looking for a suitable location: 'We were looking for a place where we could set up a sizeable pavilion and which is big enough to keep an easy distance. A place that is easy to get to by bike or car. For vaccinating, good accessibility by public transport was also a plus. Jaarbeurs ticked all the boxes.'
Doing the right thing
During the negotiations, it turned out that Jaarbeurs also wanted to do its bit. Glazema: 'Of course the halls and car parks of Jaarbeurs were empty and everything was at a standstill. But above all, they indicated that they wanted to work hard and contribute to society. We really looked at how we could work well together and what was best for everyone. I think that is something very beautiful and special.'
We really looked at how we could work well together and what was best for everyone. I think that is something very beautiful and special.
Working together
That collaboration resulted in an XL test pavilion at P2 and an indoor vaccination site. Glazema is very satisfied: 'We started working in a very practical way. In the context of accountability, we as a GGD have to request several quotes for suppliers. It was great that Jaarbeurs could also suggest parties they had good experience with.
You can't do it alone
'Learning by doing' is what Glazema calls setting up the events. 'It was really pioneering for us in the beginning. We started something and then kept making it better or more enjoyable. Although the corona crisis is of course a dramatic situation, it also has bright sides. It became clear very quickly: we can't do this alone. And the nice thing, we were offered help from all corners of business. For example, from lean experts who helped us optimise processes to promote test and puncture speed.'
Different mindset
Although the two activities are set up in the same way, the approach is completely different. 'You do the testing out of utility and necessity. There is nothing fun about that,' says Glazema. 'Vaccinating, on the other hand, is a small celebration for many people anyway. They are happy to be vaccinated. But because of the long distances they travel and the 15-minute wait after the shot, it can be less pleasant. The idea arose to actually include the distance travelled in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Now there are screens in the waiting room encouraging exercise and stickers telling how many steps you have already taken. And as if it was meant to be, Tivoli also volunteered. Now we have a waiting room with live music. So we offer artists the chance to play ánd we make the wait after a vaccination a lot more fun. It's just little things, but it's a nice way of thinking around.'
Start small and ask for help
Glazema concludes her story: 'It is a bizarre time. But it has brought us a lot as GGDrU. Not wanting to think out everything on paper in advance, but starting with the big picture. From there you can fine-tune. And if you then work with companies like Jaarbeurs, you can create something beautiful together.'
Text by > Claire van Berkum
Key account manager Jannemarije
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