NHS Highland flu and Covid vaccine clinic cancellations attacked by Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone amid early arrival of flu season; cancelled clinics have included ones in Wick, Thurso, Inverness, Brora, Bonar Bridge and Muir of Ord
Cancellations of vital vaccination clinics at short notice and rescheduled dates weeks or even months later have been strongly criticised - amid fears over a much earlier flu season than normal.
In the past month, NHS Highland has taken to its social media channels on multiple occasions to advise people due to attend certain clinics that they had been cancelled.
These cancellations, which were often made just one day before they were due to take place, have affected planned sessions everywhere from Thurso, Wick and Brora in the north, to Muir of Ord and Hilton in Inverness.
They have also affected a mix of adult, child and flu-and-Covid sessions.
In the past month, such cancellations have included flu clinics in Thurso's British Legion on October 13 and again on October 20, Wick’s Assembly Rooms, and Bonar Bridge's Community Hall (October 14).
A children's flu clinic in Muir of Ord Village Hall was also cancelled on October 15 and rearranged for November 6.
Another children's community flu clinic - this time planned for Hilton Community Centre in Inverness on October 16 - was also cancelled, with an alternative arranged for a month later November 13.
Others affected have included an adult flu, pre-school and schools drop-in flu clinic in Wick Assembly Rooms on October 16. Flu and Covid clinics planned for Brora Scout and Guide Hall on November 5 and Wick's Assembly Rooms on November 6 were also cancelled - with new dates pencilled in for January 23 and December 9 respectively.
And those cancellations, coupled with rescheduled dates up to two-and-a-half months later in the case of Brora, have sparked concern - especially amid the much earlier arrival of the winter flu season.
Just last week, the UK Health Security Agency warned that this year's annual flu season was arriving up to five weeks earlier than normal.
Outbreaks are already spreading among children and young adults, and this is expected to spread into elderly and more vulnerable populations soon.
And the flu’s early arrival will likely increase the risks that vulnerable people might contract it or Covid well before they can be vaccinated - especially if cancellations have pushed clinics back.
Reacting to the situation, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP, Jamie Stone, said he was “very disappointed” and warned that the situation is of “critical” importance.
"I’m very disappointed to see so many cancellations to planned NHS Highland vaccination clinics,” he said. “It’s clear centralisation of vaccine delivery was never the right model for the Highlands.
“This is a clear consequence of the Scottish Government’s failure to consider the position of remote and rural communities when negotiating the GP contract in 2018.
“Almost three years ago I wrote to the Scottish Government outlining this issue and received no assurance or consideration that they would act to mitigate these issues.
“This really is critical - especially for elderly people or those already at risk. The Scottish Government are playing a careless game of party politics with the lives of Highlanders and I won’t be staying quiet about their failures."
NHS Highland has apologised for the various cancellations, which it said were the result of staff illness and absences, and acknowledged that “improvements” could be made to its vaccination service.
“We have had to cancel clinics at short notice due to staff sickness and absence. We always try and provide as much advance notice of a cancellation, and will make every effort to support those affected. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
“We recognise that there are still improvements that can be made in the design of our vaccination service to maximise the opportunities for people across Highland to receive their vaccination, and we are working hard to make those improvements. We are committed to delivering vaccinations as close to the local communities as possible.
“Further information on vaccinations is available at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and flu vaccinations | NHS Highland.”
Those who had appointments to attend cancelled vaccination clinics will usually be contacted by phone to arrange a new date. Alternatively, they can re-book online or can also reschedule by calling the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.