NHS Grampian apologies for queues at mass vaccination centre in Elgin
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NHS Grampian has issued an apology to people who have experienced long queues outside its vaccination centre in Elgin.
The apology, which was given yesterday, follows several complaints that some elderly people had been left standing in the cold outside the centre on Edgar Road.
An NHS spokesperson said: "A lot of work went into the planning and organisation of the centre which opened last week, and what happened was absolutely not the experience we want people to have.
"The layout of the centre has now been improved to support getting people inside as quickly as possible.
"Despite these initial problems, it’s fantastic to be vaccinating people and we urge people to attend their booked appointment.
"To help the system run as smoothly as possible, please arrive at your appointment time.
"If you are early, you may be asked to wait in your vehicle, if available.
"Whether you have had a vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.
"That means staying at home as much as you can."
The issue of queuing outside had earlier been brought up at a Moray Council meeting on Wednesday morning.
Councillor George Alexander (Forres, Independent) said: "There have been quite a lot of complaints about people having to queue outside the vaccination site in Elgin.
"I know of one case where his appointment was 3.30pm and he got out of the building at 5.05pm.
"People are having to queue outside in the cold.
"Is there anything being done to overcome this problem?"
Simon Bokor-Ingram, the chief officer of Health and Social Care Moray, said he was aware of the issue of delays at the Elgin site, particularly on Tuesday.
Stating that he would be taking up the matter, he added: "I take it on board and we need to do something different and better."
Councillor Alexander also asked why doctors surgeries in places like Buckie and Keith, Aberlour were not being called on to help administer the vaccines.
Mr Bokor-Ingram replied that some local surgeries had helped to carry out vaccinations on people aged over 80 in tandem with NHS Grampian.
He continued: "GPs and practise staff who can vaccinate are able to join the vaccination centres.
"But, clearly, at the same time we need to make sure that primary care is able to continue focussing on the core business they deliver.
"It's all about balancing the demands."
Related article: Elgin's vaccine clinic to open 7 days a week
