NHS letters land late for Elgin flu jab patients
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THE flu vaccination programme in Elgin has been labelled a "debacle" after a number of appointment letters were sent out late.
Retired Elgin businessman Graeme MacKenzie (73), of Pluscarden Road, managed to make it on time for his flu jab appointment at 10.20am today – despite receiving just over an hour's notice when the appointment letter landed on his doormat around 9am.
The letter was dated October 1 but did not arrive until today, October 6, confirming his slot at Moray Sports Centre, on Linkwood Road.
Mr MacKenzie, owner of the Junners toy shop building in Elgin, said he arrived at the allotted time to find six nurses "waiting with syringes in hand" with no patients in sight.
He was astonished to be told he was the first patient of the day – indicating that many people may not have received their appointment notifications or were unable to get there on time.
NHS Grampian admitted there had been a small number of patients affected by delays – but Mr MacKenzie said at least 50 patients should have been ahead of him in the queue, according to the nurses staffing the clinic.
Mr MacKenzie said: "It's a bit of a debacle.
"I walked straight in there to find six nurses twiddling their thumbs. The organisation really needs to be sorted out if this is to be ongoing.
"All in all it's not a very happy situation."
He added that it took him eight attempts afterwards to get through to NHS Grampian's flu helpline to report the situation.
An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "There have been some delays to appointment letters for a very small number of patients.
"We apologise for this and can confirm we are making arrangements to ensure those who are eligible for the free flu jab and may have missed appointments will have the opportunity to get it.
"We are working closely with Royal Mail to ensure prompt delivery of appointment letters as we move into the busiest phase of the vaccination programme.
"Our team are working well and hard to meet the increased demand this year.
"We would encourage everyone who receives an appointment to take it up to protect themselves and others from flu."
More people than ever are being offered the flu jab in Scotland this year. Walk-in and drive-through centres have been set up at town halls and community hubs to deliver the free vaccine.
