NHS Scotland vaccine rant
Discussion
Just venting a bit at my frustration with the utter incompetence of the system, so apologies for my daily-mailesque rant.
I'm supposed to be group 6 for underlying health conditions, so by all accounts I should have had the first vaccine by now. I haven't and looks like I have no sign/chance to get it because of the utter inflexibility and inability to have a reasonable conversation with anyone about it. Story goes:
In early-feb I called my GP to make sure my records were up to date to ensure I got onto the appropriate list, all done they said, but if I don't hear in a fortnight then fill in the missed appointment form online.
A fortnight passes, so filled in the form.
Another week passes and get an email back to say they have no record of me and that my local health board (NHS Lanarkshire) will deal with it.
Gave it a fortnight, called the vaccine helpline number, I'm not on their system so they can't do anything, say I have to speak to my health board, who they can't give me contact details for. By this point its announced that all group-6s have been called...no they haven't.
Gave it another week, called my GP who confirmed that all details were correct and its in the hands of the health board. They put some fresh notes in my record to try and force an update. Told to give it another few days and try again.
Waited another few days, called national vaccine helpline, told I'm still not "on their system" and to call NHS lanarkshire on another number. Call the number given, which is an answer machine telling me to call the national vaccine helpline.
Call them back, explain that I'm in an infinite loop of buck passing, and just told "wait another 4 to 6 weeks" then call back.
In the meantime, my younger neighbour with no underlying conditions has been called. I'm due surgery in 6-weeks and was told told in a roundabout way to get the vaccine before surgery as post-surgery wouldn't be good, but there is literally no-one to call.
Frustrating inflexible "computer says no" policy which is filling me with rage. So if anyone has a number for someone in NHS lanarkshire I can call to have an adult conversation about it I'd be most obliged....
I'm supposed to be group 6 for underlying health conditions, so by all accounts I should have had the first vaccine by now. I haven't and looks like I have no sign/chance to get it because of the utter inflexibility and inability to have a reasonable conversation with anyone about it. Story goes:
In early-feb I called my GP to make sure my records were up to date to ensure I got onto the appropriate list, all done they said, but if I don't hear in a fortnight then fill in the missed appointment form online.
A fortnight passes, so filled in the form.
Another week passes and get an email back to say they have no record of me and that my local health board (NHS Lanarkshire) will deal with it.
Gave it a fortnight, called the vaccine helpline number, I'm not on their system so they can't do anything, say I have to speak to my health board, who they can't give me contact details for. By this point its announced that all group-6s have been called...no they haven't.
Gave it another week, called my GP who confirmed that all details were correct and its in the hands of the health board. They put some fresh notes in my record to try and force an update. Told to give it another few days and try again.
Waited another few days, called national vaccine helpline, told I'm still not "on their system" and to call NHS lanarkshire on another number. Call the number given, which is an answer machine telling me to call the national vaccine helpline.
Call them back, explain that I'm in an infinite loop of buck passing, and just told "wait another 4 to 6 weeks" then call back.
In the meantime, my younger neighbour with no underlying conditions has been called. I'm due surgery in 6-weeks and was told told in a roundabout way to get the vaccine before surgery as post-surgery wouldn't be good, but there is literally no-one to call.
Frustrating inflexible "computer says no" policy which is filling me with rage. So if anyone has a number for someone in NHS lanarkshire I can call to have an adult conversation about it I'd be most obliged....
Rockatansky said:
Whilst I'm of the opinion that our representatives in Holyrood are not a beacon of hope for democracy, it might well be worth emailing your plight to whoever are your MSPs. Copy in wee Nippy and the health secretary for good measure.
Good luck in any case.
Thanks, tried my MSP a week ago, got a response to say they will aim to respond in 20 business days. There's been a f-up here, I just want to speak to someone for 2 minutes to fix it.Good luck in any case.
DCerebrate said:
In all the circumstances, could your GP surgery do it for you?
No, they have actually been very good. While they originally administered vaccines it has since been moved to the centralised system. They made sure my record was updated correctly, but beyond that have no mechanism for pursuing this.I know a GP - they think there could be some flexibility for the GP practice to give it if you are in a priority group and have been missed out. They have been doing that for housebound people for instance and they should have vaccines in stock. It would be on a grace and favour basis though so not guaranteed.
Rockatansky said:
Whilst I'm of the opinion that our representatives in Holyrood are not a beacon of hope for democracy, it might well be worth emailing your plight to whoever are your MSPs. Copy in wee Nippy and the health secretary for good measure.
Good luck in any case.
If you copy her, isn't there a risk that she'll become a little cranky?Good luck in any case.
Lanarkshire seemed to be miles behind in general - my partner's 70 year old parents didn't get their 1st jab until about 4 weeks after my similar aged folks in Grampian.
Out of interest, does anyone know how you go about getting a home visit for a 2nd jab if your mobility has deteriorated to the extent that waltzing into a big centre is no longer viable?
Out of interest, does anyone know how you go about getting a home visit for a 2nd jab if your mobility has deteriorated to the extent that waltzing into a big centre is no longer viable?
CloudStuff said:
Rockatansky said:
Whilst I'm of the opinion that our representatives in Holyrood are not a beacon of hope for democracy, it might well be worth emailing your plight to whoever are your MSPs. Copy in wee Nippy and the health secretary for good measure.
Good luck in any case.
If you copy her, isn't there a risk that she'll become a little cranky?Good luck in any case.
TX.
Out of interest, does anyone know how you go about getting a home visit for a 2nd jab if your mobility has deteriorated to the extent that waltzing into a big centre is no longer viable?
[/quote]
I would contact your GP surgery and arrange a phone appointment and ask if they can arrange a nurse to come out to give you
2 nd injection , It should not be a problem for them to sort this .
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