Second apology for vaccine invite errors

Apologetic vaccination bosses investigating a mass of mistakes that led to confusion and missed appointments say they have resolved what went wrong.

 

One of the latest incidents was the failure to send out any appointments at all for two booster clinics at the Corran Halls.

 

The error, blamed on 'data processing inaccuracies', was only discovered when a vaccination team turned up in Oban on October 26 ready for a six-hour shift with sufficient vaccine but no one to jag.

 

The Oban Times had reports of frantic scenes and ring-rounds as staff tried to muster people for jags and not waste the Pfizer vaccine. One man claimed he was flagged down as he drove past the Corran Halls. Many other people just turned up on spec after hearing the clinics were 'drop-ins'.

 

Making a second apology within a week, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said the data processing inaccuracies have now been sorted.

 

Clerical errors sending out booster appointment letters affected people in Lochgilphead,  Helensburgh & Lomond, Cowal and Lochgoilhead, as well as in Oban.

 

Last week's Oban Times also reported how the HSCP had wrongly invited 163 Oban teenagers for a second dose of the vaccine they were not eligible for.

 

This week the HSCP admitted letters were also sent out too late inviting people for Age 50 plus booster clinics yesterday (November 3) and today (November 4) at the Corran Halls. Anyone eligible who is a patient with Lorn and Taynuilt medical practices is advised to just turn up between 9am and 4pm - a U-turn from seven days ago when the HSCP appealed for people to be patients and wait for official invites.

 

'The Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) would like to apologise for a number of clerical errors administering booster vaccination appointment letters for residents in Lochgilphead, Oban, Cowal, Helensburgh & Lomond and Lochgoilhead.  Our Vaccination Programme managers have now completed their investigation and resolved the data processing inaccuracies,' said a spokesperson for the HSCP.

 

Errors included Lochgilphead and Lochgoilhead residents being invited to  appointments at mixed-up addresses. Appointment letters were also sent out too late for people in Tighnabruaich to attend and they are now being encouraged to just drop in at any planned clinics in their area - the next booster clinic for over 50s is tomorrow (November 5) at The Kames Hall, Tighnabruaich, from 9am until 4.45pm.

 

All the clinics affected by the errors have been correctly updated on the HSCP's website.

 

Tomorrow (November 5) will see a booster clinic at Lochgilphead Community Education Centre in Manse Brae from 9.30am to 3.30pm and same place, same time on November 10 and November 17.