Snowfalls hit COVID vaccine appointments across Fife - here's what will happen
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NHS Fife issued a statement this morning to let locals know they will be contacted if they can’t attend get to their centre because of the bad weather.
It added: “There is no need to contact the national helpline - another date will be sent via post as soon as possible.”
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Hide AdThe move comes after health bosses apologised to elderly people left standing in the freezing cold for over an hour after huge delays hit COVID vaccine centres in Fife yesterday.
There were reports of problems across the region, with Kirkcaldy’s Templehall Community Centre one of the worst affected.
Local councillor Neil Crooks raised concerns about the incident when he started to received texts from locals living near the centre.
He said: “It’s ridiculous that elderly people are ending up in queues outside at all, and even more concerning that once inside they again have further delays before vaccination.
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Hide Ad"I have received my letter to attend at a specific time and to be present 15 minutes in advance of the appointment.”
After learning the problem was due to overbooking and that NHS Fife had moved to rectify the issue, he said the situation at Templehall Community Centre is better today.
Cllr Crooks added: “There are no delays today and there are two buses on site to provide shelter from the weather and if necessary take overspill to Victoria Hospital for vaccinations.
"The council’s street team has cleared the snow and exits.
"At least three people have apologised for coming too early for their appointment so if people could keep to their allocated appointment time that would be a help.”
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Hide AdIn a statement issued by Carol Potter, NHS Fife chief executive, she said: “I want to offer our most sincere apologies to those who had to wait in significant queues at some of our community vaccination clinics.
“This was entirely unacceptable and we are working with our colleagues in NHS National Services Scotland to understand how this scheduling error occurred and ensure that it does not happen again.”