Care residents face ‘ lottery’ over vaccines
A SCOTS care home boss has warned of a ‘postcode lottery’ over vaccines as some facilities received jabs while others were left in the dark.
Robert Kilgour yesterday said he has had no notification from health chiefs about when the injections will be administered to people living at four of his homes in Edinburgh.
His company Renaissance Care is responsible for 15 homes across Scotland, with staff and residents i n nine of these already receiving their first dose of the vaccine.
Mr Kilgour, executive chairman of the firm, said a further two homes in Glasgow and Inverness had been given dates for the programme of injections to commence following some initial delays.
But the Edinburgh facilities have yet to receive notification of when vaccines will be given to their residents.
Mr Kilgour has warned that the disparity risks creating a ‘postcode lottery’ for the vital inoculations – which have been prioritised for the most vulnerable in society.
Health bosses have insisted that dates will be provided ‘imminently’ after offering all care providers in Edinburgh a face-to-face meeting to discuss how the rollout would work.
But it is understood that the notifications are being given on a rolling basis as and when vaccines become available to the health board.
Mr Kilgour said: ‘It seems like there is a postcode lottery when it comes to the vaccine, certainly in Edinburgh.
‘We are still waiting to get dates for when vaccines will be available to our residents in the four Edinburgh care homes.’
Mr Kilgour said that the delay was causing distress for both families and residents desperate to receive the vaccine.
He added: ‘It is so unfair for our hard pressed staff and vulnerable residents who are waiting for this, and the families of residents who are eager to know when their loved ones will get the protection.
‘We keep being asked when residents will be vaccinated but we just don’t know yet.
‘I am really disappointed, we should be able to tell staff and residents when the vaccines will be here, but we can’t. We can’t offer any explanation.’
Vaccines were given to care home residents for the first time on December 14 following the approval of the PfizerBioNTech jab.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman have pledged that care home residents would be a top priority for receiving the vaccine injections.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has also listed residents in care facilities as to be among the first to receive the jab.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said: ‘Our care homes have been badly let down during this pandemic and i t would be unacceptable if they were to now suffer a postcode lottery when it comes to vaccinations.
‘The SNP must guarantee that every resident will know
‘We can’t offer any explanation’ ‘A severe blow to their morale’
when they will be vaccinated without any delay. The vaccines are giving our care home residents hope right now. Any sign of a postcode lottery would be a severe blow to their morale.’
Scottish Lib Dem health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘It’s really important that people get clarity on these timetables as soon as possible.
‘We’re in the incredibly fortunate position that we have two vaccines approved. The operation to get them out must run like clockwork to keep everyone safe and get life back to normal as quickly as possible.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Each health board has different numbers of care homes so it is not reasonable t o compare one with another as all are working around the clock to vaccinate this priority group.’