Fury as Easter Ross flu jab patients left queuing in the rain for Invergordon appointments; Cromarty Firth councillor demands probe from NHS Highland chief executive over flu jab 'fiasco'
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AN Easter Ross councillor is demanding answers from health chiefs after scores of people were left queuing outside a hospital awaiting flu jabs.
Maxine Smith (Cromarty Firth) made her remarks after a long queue formed outside the County Hospital in Invergordon this morning in cold, drizzly conditions.
Cllr Smith shared a copy of the letter she has emailed to the chief executive of NHS Highland today. It says: "I wish to register a complaint on behalf of my Invergordon constituents. Today several hundred people it appears were given the same time of 9.30am to turn up for a flu injection at the County hospital. They were advised to be on time and not bring a coat!
"Did you even think this through? It’s pouring rain today and is 6C. The very nature of patients who need the flu injection are that they are elderly or vulnerable. They’re now standing in the rain freezing and getting soaked. I think the risk of getting ill is heightened.
"Why didn’t you organise attendance in the academy as before or enquire which other large buildings are available? At least stagger the appointment times. I know many who left when they saw the queue as they wouldn’t subject their relatives to that appalling situation. Please address this as a matter of urgency."
NHS Highland's new chief executive Pam Dudek is expected to take up her post next week, succeeding Paul Hawkins, who is retiring.
Confusion surrounds the issue as it appears many people turned up for the same appointment time of 9.30am.
A number of people took to Facebook to share their concerns, one describing the situation as "absolutely shocking" and another "a joke". A number voiced concern that potential vulnerable people would be so close together in a queue.
Some people said they left without getting a jab as they were concerned about social distancing.
Margaret Macpherson commented: "I was in that queue and stood for 30 minutes got soaked well done Maxine for a taking on this fiasco."
Some people said their appointments at earlier times of the day had run smoothly without lengthy waits but the majority of people commenting on the issue voiced grave concerns.
It's understood letters were sent out by the Alness and Invergordon Medical Group.
Thousands of flu jabs have scheduled across Ross-shire over the coming weeks.
This story will be updated.
