NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have implemented a number of actions to improve the delivery of Covid jabs in East Renfrewshire and as part of the Spring booster rollout.
The Autumn vaccination programme at the Carmichael Hall centre in Giffnock experienced difficulty for part of the rollout and with reported incidents of elderly people facing long queues when waiting to receive the vaccine and some appointments cancelled on-site.
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw made representations to health officials on behalf of concerned constituents at that time and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advised the locally elected member that challenges with staffing was one factor impacting on the effectiveness of delivery.
At the beginning of April, Mr Carlaw contacted the health board to seek an update on what actions would be implemented with the aim of ensuring the smooth delivery of the Spring rollout and if progress had been made in addressing the previous staffing challenges.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advised that there was now a permanent workforce for Immunisation Delivery and work had been taking place to recruit and train more staff to support the vaccination programme.
The total number of appointments at Carmichael Hall and other centres in the region have been capped at 590 to avoid long queues and increase the length of appointments.
The health board confirmed all local residents in Eastwood aged over 75 years old had received letters with scheduled appointments and vaccinations commenced on 11th April.
Booster jabs for vulnerable people with weakened immune systems and who are under the age of 75 commenced on 24th April.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood Jackson Carlaw said:
“As part of the previous Autumn Covid booster rollout, many of my constituents reported a disappointing experience at Carmichael Hall and this was a serious concern.
“It is welcome that health officials have sought to address the previous difficulties at the vaccination centre and taken steps to tackle the challenges encountered with staffing levels.
“I hope that the measures introduced will ensure the smooth delivery of vaccinations for the duration of the Spring programme in the local area.”