HEALTH B OVER FLU OARD SORRY JAB CRISIS
GLASGOW’S health board has issued an apology to elderly patients after a major delay in the flu jab rollout.
It comes just days after the Glasgow Times launched our campaign – Give Our OAPs a Shot – demanding the process was sped up to protect the lives of the city’s oldest.
Yesterday, senior officials have said sorry for the “way in which” the vaccination programme has been delivered so far.
It said the health board was “very aware” of concerns raised by the public and the anxiety felt by those over the age of 65.
As previously reported, hundreds of pensioners have complained about being months late for the jags, which were handled by individual GP surgeries until the health board took over this year.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ( NHSGGC) previously stated all vaccinations would take place before December.
However, it has now promised to have all remaining letters sent this week and appointments scheduled before the end of November.
Jane Grant, chief executive of NHSGGC, said: “On behalf of the Health Board, I would like to sincerely apologise to all those people who have experienced issues with their flu vaccination appointments.
“We are very sorry for any distress and anxiety this has caused, especially among the more vulnerable members of our local communities.
“There have been a number of challenges with the delivery of the flu vaccination programme and we have taken action to ensure this situation never happens again.”
She added: “We would like to offer reassurance to those in the 65+ year old age group who are yet to receive their flu vaccination that all remaining letters will be sent this week and you will have your appointment scheduled to take place before the end of November, before the flu season starts between late December and January.
“For those who received their letter after their appointment date, we will ensure that you alternative appointment.
We understand that many people have struggled to get through to our appointment line and we are very sorry for that.
“We have now employed an additional 20 call handlers to manage enquiries so that more people can be supported in a more timely way.
An additional 20 members of staff have also been brought in to help tackle problems getting through to the phone lines.
Senior members of the Health Board team met with local MPs and MSPs yesterday to “understand in more detail the concerns of constituents” and explain the actions that are under way to resolve these issues.
Ms Grant added: “The flu vaccination programme has been especially challenging this year, due to the increased number of eligible people and because it is vitally important that we adhere to physical distancing guidelines when get an
We are very sorry for any distress and anxiety this has caused
administering vaccinations. However, we’ll make sure we learn the lessons from what has happened this year and put measures in place to avoid these issues being repeated. I would like to thank our MPs and MSPs for making the time to speak with us yesterday.
“We remain committed to working with you to address any concerns that have been raised by people living in our region.
“Finally, we would also like to thank all of our staff who are delivering flu vaccinations to members of the public. We very much appreciate the work you are doing to support our communities.”
It comes after 681 people signed a Glasgow Times petition calling on the health board to speed up the crisis and fix the delays to the vaccination programme - which had been dubbed a “national scandal” by furious pensioners.
The campaign has also been backed by senior politicians – including MSPs Monica Lennon
and Annie Wells – and top charity Age Scotland.
The Scottish Government was forced to step in after it emerged the board was using the controversial Scottish Immunisation and Recall System ( SIRS), which put the city’s oldest to the back of the queue.
Health minister Jeane Freeman said it “not acceptable” and demanded the system was scrapped.
The health board has no urged those who need to change the date or time of their appointment to contact 0800 707 6699 or email adult. flu@ ggc. scot. nhs. uk.
Ms Grant said the board will do “everything possible” to rearrange them. Meanwhile, those who are concerned about accessibility issues with their assigned vaccination centre, have been urged to get in touch.
Health bosses insisted they would “work with each individual on a case by case basis” to find the centre most suitable for them.