THREE BUSES FOR FLU JAB
Anger as at-risk OAPs face lengthy journey to get jag
Vulnerable pensioners in rural Renfrewshire face three different bus trips to get their flu jab at a new Paisley super clinic.
The decision to turn St Mirren’s stadium into a vaccine clinic been branded as “unacceptable” for potentially putting OAPs at risk.
The Paisley Express previously revealed that St Mirren Park in Greenhill Road would be the site for this year’s flu vaccine clinic, with health chiefs aiming to vaccinate 1,000 patients a day throughout October and November.
However, the new location will now see pensioners over 65 travel from Lochwinnoch, Bridge of Weir and Houston on public transport rather than visit their local GP.
Patients from Beith have also been told to travel ten miles to the Paisley clinic, instead of going to their GP practice.
This has been deemed “ridiculous” by Wes t Scotland MSP Neil Bibby.
He said: “I can understand
that the aim of this is to take the pressure of GPs, but what I don’t understand is that it is those over 65 who are being asked to travel to St Mirren to get the vaccine.
“For those who have access to a car this won’t be a problem, but, for those who don’t, I believe this is unacceptable, particularly during this pandemic.
“We are asking that older people go further to this centralised location, with many of them having to rely on public transport, which goes against government advice on avoiding public transport where possible.
“I have been in contact with someone living in Lochwinnoch who says they would have to travel on three buses there and back to get the vaccine.
“That is just unacceptable.”
Mr Bibby also highlighted that it would not just be pensioners from surrounding villages that would be impacted, but, due to the location of the stadium, some elderly people in Paisley may also encounter issues.
He added: “St Mirren stadium is not an easy location to access via public transport from many parts of Paisley, let alone the rest of Renfrewshire.
“So, people who live in the south of Paisley, in areas such as Hunterhill, Foxbar and Ferguslie, are also going to have to take multiple trips on public transport.”
The Labour MSP has written to NHS chief executive Jane Grant following a number of complaints from residents within just hours of this year’s vaccine plans being announced.
The letter calls on health bosses to provide a mobile vaccination centre to allow pensioners easier and safer access to the vaccine.
He is also calling for the health board to provide support or transport to those who may need it.
Mr Bibby added: “This is causing a great deal of stress and anxiety for elderly people, especially those who have been shielding for months due to their age and now they are being advised to travel by bus to get this vaccine.
“What could happen is we may see the number of over 65s getting the vaccine decrease.
“Last year, 74 per cent of over 65s attended to get the flu jab.
“We need that figure to be going up, especially now when there are even more risks.”
The vaccines at St Mirren Stadium are being carried out by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
An NHSGGC spokeswoman said: “We appreciate that this change will create a challenge for some, in particular those in areas furthest from Paisley.
“There is information available on the flu pages of Renfrewshire HSCP’s website which outlines the excellent public transport links to St Mirren, as well as options such as the SPT MyBus service for those over 80, and those receiving eligible benefits under 80.
“All those identified as housebound by their GP practices and notified to the HSCP will receive a domiciliary visit for their flu vaccination.
“Where possible, the district nurse teams will take additional vaccines to immunise eligible household members at the same time.
“We would like to apologise to our patients for any inconvenience this may cause and would ask that every effort is made to attend appointments.
“If needed, a patient can contact the call centre to rearrange the appointment for a later and more suitable date.”