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NHS Highland says sorry after Wick over-65s were given vaccine appointments in Canisbay





People aged 65 and over are among the first to be invited for their Covid-19 and flu jabs as part of Scotland’s winter vaccination programme.
People aged 65 and over are among the first to be invited for their Covid-19 and flu jabs as part of Scotland’s winter vaccination programme.

NHS Highland has issued an apology to over-65s in Wick who were asked to travel to a village hall 17 miles away to receive their next Covid and flu jabs.

Wheelchair users and people with no cars were among those who received letters from NHS Scotland at the weekend offering them vaccination appointments in October at Canisbay.

One 78-year-old called it "nonsense", while a Wick GP said: "It looks like an utter shambles."

The health board blamed "teething issues" with a new booking and appointment system, and gave an assurance that those affected will be contacted about a change of appointment.

People aged 65 and over are among the first to be invited for their Covid-19 and flu jabs as part of Scotland’s winter vaccination programme. Letters began arriving at Wick addresses on Saturday – in some cases offering appointments at Canisbay hall next month.

“You're now invited to your vaccination appointment that will help to protect you from flu and/or Covid-19, which are both likely to be circulating this winter," the letters stated. "We strongly recommend you attend your appointment as your level of protection against flu and/or Covid-19 may have reduced since your last vaccination dose.”

Those receiving the letters were told that appointments could be rearranged through the nhsinform.scot booking portal or by calling the national vaccination helpline.

A spokesperson for NHS Highland said today: "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."

Members of the public can also contact the NHS Highland local service delivery centre helpline on 08000 320 339 or via email on nhsh.covidvaccine@nhs.scot

The national vaccination helpline is 0800 030 8013.

Dr Ewen Pearson, of the Pearson Practice in Wick, said: "People centrally or in Inverness don’t know their patients like we do. It looks like an utter shambles."

Organising appointments in this way is more expensive and results in lower uptake, he said, adding: "General practice is the most cost-effective part of the NHS."

Ken and Margaret Wood, of Whitehouse Park, Wick, were among those who were offered appointments in Canisbay. They don't drive and would have had to rely on public transport to attend.

Mr Wood (78), a retired teacher, spent more than 50 minutes on the national helpline without success. Mrs Wood (75), a retired registrar, later managed to arrange alternative slots for Wick on September 29 via the nhsinform.scot website.

She said: "Interestingly, on the NHS Highland website the infamous Canisbay clinics are not even listed. Basically, you need to know dates and venues of clinics before you use the website in the letter."

Mr Wood said: “I know a lot of folk are worse off than us because they're either disabled or have some other health problem. They're in the same predicament – folk in their mid-eighties with other health issues, and they're getting this same nonsense to sort out.”


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