It said to come alone, bring water and rainproof clothing as he may have to queue outside.
This clinic was for 80 year olds and over
Sorry about the quality of the picture but you can get an idea of what we were greeted with.
A huge queue of people that stretched as far as we could see of 'OVER 80 YEAR OLD PEOPLE' standing in a cold wind waiting to be ushered in for the jab.
I asked the receptionist if Tom could come straight in as he was on oxygen and could not stand there in the queue and was told that unless he was in a wheelchair he had to queue. I could take his place if I wanted to but I also am unable to stand for very long because of my arthritis, and so we drove back home.
I shall make enquiries to see if there is an alternative way that he can get his jab.
LOST FOR WORDS.
Briony, I've been lurking and enjoying your blog for some time now but never commented. We have our flu jabs done at our local pharmacy, no queues and a quick in and out. But this year it's advisable to ring them first and check whether they are doing them and ask whether you need to book. They will inform your Doctor's surgery that they've given you the flu jab. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that it's free at the pharmacy too.
ReplyDeleteHi Annabeth, thanks for your comment, I seem unable to leave on on your blog, how do I do that? I have an email if you want to contact without leaving details,
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Ah, Briony, I'm sorry, I don't blog. I'm only registered on Blogger because it asked me to when I wanted to read 'Blogger' blogs. Good luck with the flu jab, hope you manage to get it sorted quickly.
DeleteThat is unbelievable. The clinic should get their act together. To expect anyone to queue in the cold and wet is unacceptable, especially for folk over 80. They should be ashamed of themselves. I hope you can get Tom a proper appointment without any waiting.
ReplyDeleteLost for words. what is the point of an 'appointment' if you have to queue in the rain?
ReplyDeleteI find that quite appalling. What a terrible way to treat 80+ year olds who would not be there unless they are vulnerable enough to need a flu jab.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you can arrange something more civilised at your local pharmacy instead.
That's terrible.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.boots.com/online/pharmacy-services/winter-flu-jab-services
Says free for the NHS Flu jab.
Hi Ilona, am going to ring local pharmacy tomorrow.
DeleteMy Hubby had his done at our local small chemist.His time was for 2 oclock and he was back out within 5 mins.It was free.Hope you can get it sorted,xx
DeleteOur doctors had us straight in with a one way system, no delays and feeling very safe, we stood as we had the injection, the doctor did not touch us, all quick and well prepared. Your photo shows the worse side of things.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if all the comments above live in your country.. in USA we go to pharmacy but with your health system it might not be that way. good luck with the call and I hope your pharmacy can do it. this is beyond dumb
ReplyDeleteWhat! That's insane, I wouldn't have waited either. I know all pharmacies give fly jabs as my daughter's a pharmacist. I've had a text from my GP surgery asking me to make an appointment for mine.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think they thought that one through!
ReplyDeleteThat is ridiculous! It takes no time at all to do a flu shot -- why all the waiting, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy. My surgery has invited me along for 12:54 next Wednesday. I was told not to be too early or late but arrive on the dot. I shall hover nearby until 12:53 and then make a dash for it!
ReplyDeleteWe actually had a 1.20p.m. appointment but if we had been able to join the queue we would never have been seen at that time anyway.
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That's appalling! My mum had a nurse home visit last week to do hers.
ReplyDeleteI'd write a letter of complaint if I were you.
We wouldn't have waited outside in that line either. Here we can go to the pharmacies for your flu shot or our doctor has them at his office also. We usually go to our GP.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder if people catch the flu whilst outside waiting to be seen! My parents live in South East London. They are in vulnerable groups over 80 years old. They got a phone call this week to say that the nurse will come to their house to give them their flu jabs. I hope something like this can be done for you and Tom. x
ReplyDeleteWhat is the use of an appointment then!!! Someone needs to get their **** in gear and sort this out properly and include some empathy while they are at it!!! Appalling treatment!! )-: Amanda x
ReplyDeleteI had my done at the local LLoyd's Pharamacy. Booked online, no waiting.Is that a possibility for you?
ReplyDeleteThis is just WRONG!! I know the drugstores give the shots, like CVS. And you don't have to make an appointment. WRONG!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. Similar to Sandra's comment above, we were given 15-minute time slots for groups of 65 year-olds and over, and it was efficiently organised with a one-way system, all standing so no need to clean chairs, and distancing. Evidently they will get on to under-65s with health conditions in October, and possibly then in November or December healthy 50-64s who also get a free jab this year, but they haven't enough to go round because their order was made in January based on last year's take up.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely ridiculous, Briony. Oh my gosh, my blood pressure went up just READING about the incident... I can't imagine experiencing it. I would have said "HELL NO" and that would have been that. You poor dear... I would have been over-the-top angry! *hugs* ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI go to my pharmacy as we've never been called by our surgery. We would have slipped through the crack! It is appalling especially as your hubby is clearly on oxygen. Ring Boots I'm sure they'll fit you in.
ReplyDeleteWe had ours done yesterday at the surgery.A very slick operation.All the doctors and nurses(yes,on a S aturday)were there.There were 10 rooms being used.No queues.Straight in and out.Very impressed.
ReplyDeleteHope you manage to get Tom's done soon.
Truly beyond the pale, Briony. I hope your pharmacy can give it instead, as other commenters have suggested. Why are some places so poorly organized and others top-notch? Gah.
ReplyDeletei go on saturday not to the surgery but to the local church, it says to wait outside with your arm ready for the jab if there is along queue I will go home and book through the chemist, we are not in lockdown just semi lockdown from last weekend not allowed to have visitors or visit family and friends either at home or in the garden as there are so many people infected with covid here in Leeds so will have to stand at least 2 metres apart in the queue on the street! Hopefully not in the rain
ReplyDeleteSo good to get this comment from you Margie. As you no longer blog I had lost touch, hope you and your family are well. xxxx
Deletegood to get your reply. I am okay but really feel I have nothing to share on my blog anymore so do not do it
DeleteThat is appalling....I would be writing to the practice manager if I were you! We ( in our 70s) were given a half hour time slot in which to arrive, a few Saturdays ago.....we duly rocked up and went straight in the back of the building....4 people standing in the reception area giving the jabs....I think she just asked me my name, needle in, goodbye! About 2 minutes all told!
ReplyDeleteThey were letting people in!!!! ours have a gazebo in the carpark
ReplyDeleteThat would be bad enough for younger people to be standing out in the rain waiting but to make 80 years olds wait out there is crazy. I would have gone back home as well. I sure hope no one got sick from standing out there in the cold all that time.
ReplyDeleteThat is terrible. More precise appointment times would have eliminated the need for queuing entirely. This is sheer thoughtlessness on the part of your doctor's surgery. If I ruled the world, the instigator of the inoculation "plan" would be flogged on Brighton beach with a very long stick of rock. The word "REVENGE" would run through the confectionery item.
ReplyDeleteI am at a loss for words. Here on the Island we have been given individual appointment slots, so hopefully it will run a little smoother.
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