Many people will be aware of the shambolic organisation of flu vaccines experienced by many across Fife. My office has received many many calls about this fiasco. Below is a copy of the letter I have sent to NHS Fife CEO and Chair on this issue. I also raised this issue directly with the First Minister in the Scottish Parliament.
I am writing to raise my concern that thousands of older people are experiencing major worries created by the letters they have received from NHS Fife about the flu vaccine. This letter gives one phone number to call to arrange an appointment for the vaccine. When people call the number they are either cut off or told by a message to try again later.
I note that you have apologised to the people of Fife, but this must be addressed as soon as possible. It is a complete failure of management that is causing widespread worry for older people across Fife.
I also note that you have said there are 90 vaccine clinics that have been established. However, the chaotic way that NHS Fife is managing this process is resulting in elderly people with disabilities and underlying health conditions being told they have to travel miles to get the vaccine.
For example, one lady from Kelty told me she was offered a vaccine at Lochgelly. This would have involved getting two buses and travelling for hours. Alternatively, she was offered Dunfermline which meant one bus journey and then a significant walk. A third option was Glenrothes which was even more problematic to get to. Given the first priority is elderly people, often with underlying health conditions, I find it incredible that they are being asked to make their way around Fife to get a flu vaccine. For many who don’t have access to cars or money they have to use public transport and are therefore being put at risk from
COVID-19 when they don’t need to be.
This is an incredible failure that must be addressed with immediate priority and I would ask that you advise how NHS Fife are doing so.
