Elderly and vulnerable people in Midlothian are being asked by health chiefs to travel miles to reach their designated flu and Covid jab appointments this autumn.
Jackie Kelly’s 87-year-old mum, from Mayfield, is no stranger to flu jabs and NHS appointment letters. However, this year she has been asked to travel two hours each way on multiple bus connections to attend an appointment she couldn’t reach even if she wanted to.
“I’ve been told where they have to go in Penicuik, they have to get off the bus and walk up a big hill. My mum can’t walk up hills,” Kelly said. "She has said she’s not getting her jab this year because she’s not travelling all the way up there.”
Kelly took to her community Facebook page to gauge the scale of the problem, and received more than 70 responses from carers and people in the same situation. “Someone on my post said they tried to change their appointment to two closer places but they have no appointments left,” Kelly explained.
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“It’s very important that my mum gets this jab. She’s 87 years old and the flu could kill her at that age. I suppose she’s lucky to have me to fight her corner and try and get something closer but some old people don’t have anyone.”
In the past, Kelly’s mum has been scheduled for jabs in Gorebridge or at her local community hospital. Both of which are a short, direct bus ride away from her home. This year, she is expected to attend her appointment in Penicuik, which is a two hour, one way bus ride with two connections.
“She’s never been asked to go this far before. Normally the appointment letters tell you where and when to go, and if it’s no good, you can go online or phone to get it changed. She also can’t work a computer to go online,” Kelly said.
On Kelly’s Facebook post, many others also reported that they had received appointments too far from their homes. “Looks like a lot of people who need the flu jab are going to go without this year,” Kelly said. I don’t know who organises, but they’ve made a pig's ear of it this year.”
A joint response from NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NHS Lothian clarified that NSS is responsible for scheduling appointments based on files produced by NHS Lothian.
In a joint statement, NSS and NHS Lothian said: “The National Vaccine Scheduling System allocates staff to clinic locations based on their postcode to the closest available clinic. Clinics locations are planned across Edinburgh and Lothian to avoid citizens having to travel far.
“Clinic capacity across Edinburgh and Lothian is created in line with the size of the eligible cohorts so all citizens eligible will be able to arrange an appointment. Patients can reschedule appointments by going to the National Vaccination Portal by visiting nhsinform.scot or they can contact the National COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for Primary and Community Care in NHS Lothian who is overseeing the delivery of this year’s vaccination programme, said: “Getting vaccinated offers the best protection to you and those around you as we head into winter. Over time, COVID vaccine immunity reduces, and the flu virus changes, so it is important those who are eligible come forward for their appointments. I encourage everyone invited for their winter vaccinations to take up this offer or to reschedule or cancel their appointment if they can’t make it.”
Information from NHS Lothian confirmed that flu and Covid-19 booster jabs for the public are being delivered at more than 20 sites across Lothian from Monday. The locations include existing vaccination clinics, some community hospitals, and some GP practices and health centres.
“It’s safe and effective to get both vaccinations at the same time so people only need one appointment if they are eligible for the two,” NHS Lothian said. At home vaccination visits are being arranged for eligible housebound patients and adult care home residents.
Currently, people over 65 and children between two and five have been invited for their appointments by letter. Appointments will be made available for other groups as the programme progresses.
Patients can contact the National Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 or by visiting nhsinform.scot to rearrange or cancel appointments if required.
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