Maree Todd praises NHS Highland for swift action on error over vaccine locations
North MSP Maree Todd has praised NHS Highland for taking swift action following an error over vaccine appointments for the 65-and-over age group.
A total of 366 people in the Wick area and a further 1460 in the Alness and Invergordon area received Covid and flu jab letters from the NHS inviting them to attend clinics in the wrong locations.
In the case of Wick, over-65s including wheelchair users and those with no transport were asked to go to Canisbay village hall as part of Scotland’s winter vaccination programme.
The health board apologised, blaming "teething issues" with a new booking and appointment system, and gave an assurance that those affected would be contacted about a change of appointment.
Ms Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, raised concerns with NHS Highland on Monday after contact from elderly constituents.
“I’m pleased to see NHS Highland has acted swiftly to correct the mistake," Ms Todd said. "On Monday I was contacted by several pensioners in my constituency who had been asked to make the journey to Inverness to attend a vaccine appointment.
“After raising concerns with NHS Highland, I was pleased to receive assurances that this was a mistake and that impacted constituents would be offered an alternative appointment closer to home.
“I would urge anyone in Alness, Invergordon and Wick who has received an appointment with the wrong location and has not yet been contacted by NHS Highland to contact the service delivery centre helpline [08000 320 339] to book an appointment in their area.”
Ms Todd added: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourselves, your loved ones and the NHS from both the Covid-19 and flu viruses, and I encourage you to take up the offer of a booster when you receive your appointment.”
After being contacted about concerns expressed by patients in the Wick area, a spokesperson for NHS Highland told the John O'Groat Journal on Wednesday: "We are very sorry about the stress that this has caused some residents in Wick. Asking those living in Wick to attend clinics in Canisbay was done in error and should not have happened.
"We are operating a new booking and appointment system and, as with any new way of working, there can occasionally be teething issues as the programme is rolled out.
"Our teams work very hard behind the scenes to minimise any disruption this may cause but we are sorry that on this occasion appointments have been allocated in error. We will be contacting those affected by this directly to offer them a change of appointment."