Letter reminded my late husband to get his flu jab
HEALTH PROVIDER PROBES ERROR THAT UPSET WIDOW
A HEALTH service provider based in Nottingham has issued a formal apology after letters intended for vulnerable people were also sent to a number of former patients, now deceased.
The letters, from Nottingham Citycare Partnership, which provides a range of at-home and local health services were sent to remind their most vulnerable members to get vaccinated against flu.
These are typically sent ahead of winter and have been particularly important this year with the coronavirus pandemic.
While understanding the good intentions of the letter, Hilary Yates, of Whitemoor, said when she first opened the envelope addressed to her late husband William ‘John’ Yates, she was “almost in tears”.
The grandma-of-one told the Post: “It was a letter addressed to my husband, advising him to get a flu jab and all about shielding. His NHS number was also there.
“I rang the service up straight away and said he would definitely not be getting his flu jab this year, and they confirmed that their records state ‘deceased’.
“These sorts of letters are upsetting and it should be investigated.”
Mr Yates died in 2014 aged 76, after being hospitalised with pneumonia. He had previously suffered three strokes that left Hilary as his full-time carer.
Before his health deteriorated, he and Hilary had owned a first aid training company and she described him as having a “big sense of humour”.
“It was over six years ago, on March 10 that he died, so I was quite surprised to get the letter,” Hilary said.
“I could possibly understand if it had only been a few months ago, what with everything else going on.
“Citycare did apologise over the phone, but I want to be assured this won’t happen again.
“They said it had just been a mistake, but his notes should be filed away now he is not here – it doesn’t make sense. “It was all written in the present tense, like he was still a patient with them and that he falls under the vulnerable category.
“It makes me wonder if these places actually talk to each other, or if it’s all just reliant on technology now.”
Citycare confirmed there had been multiple letters sent out incorrectly and an investigation was now taking place. Chief executive Lyn Bacon said: “We are deeply sorry for the distress this mistake will have caused – it should not have happened and a thorough investigation is under way.
“The letter was intended to encourage the most vulnerable members of our community to protect themselves by getting the flu vaccine, so we greatly regret that this has accidently caused upset to loved ones.
“We would like to extend our sincere apologies to anyone who received this letter in error, and have set up a dedicated phone line for anyone affected by this to contact us so we can hear from them. The phone number is 0115 883 9654.”
It makes me wonder if these places actually talk to each other, or if it’s all just reliant on technology now. Hilary Yates