A Helensburgh pensioner has spoken of his disbelief after his Covid booster appointment was booked for a town hall more than 40 miles away.
Alan Craig, 80, was one of hundreds of over-75s in the Helensburgh area who have been allocated slots for their fourth jag in locations such as Dunoon, Inveraray, Strachur, Dalmally and even Lochgilphead.
Mr Craig’s appointment was scheduled for Inveraray town hall - a two hour round trip from his Havelock Place home.
He told the Lennox: “I had to read the letter twice when it arrived. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“I’m fortunate in that I have a car, so I could’ve made an appointment in Inveraray if it was all that was available - but even then it would involve driving on roads that are notoriously poor.
“If I was having to do it by public transport then it would be a nightmare. It would take all day.
“It seems ridiculous that nobody double-checked where these appointments were being booked for. Nobody with any sense would look at Helensburgh on a map and decide that Inveraray was the best place to send people for appointments.”
Alan has since rearranged his booster appointment for the Concord Centre in Dumbarton, however was far from alone in being faced with a lengthy journey when the appointment letter dropped through his door.
Local MSP Jackie Baillie said that residents were struggling to get through to anyone on the phone to rebook their appointments, stressing that many are elderly and don’t have easy access to the online booking system.
The Labour member also said that some constituents have been told there are no available appointments locally until June.
Similar problems affected residents for their first booster dose last year, with the Dumbarton MSP frustrated that these have yet to be rectified.
She said: “It is appalling that this same problem is happening again, in some circumstances to the people who were affected before.
“It is completely unacceptable to ask people in their 80s and above to travel up to 130 miles for a vaccination appointment. I have no doubt that this will stop people from attending which is shocking given they are the ones who need protection from Covid the most.
“This situation is ridiculous and needs to be addressed immediately.”
In a statement Argyll and Bute HSCP said: “Unfortunately some incorrect appointment letters have been issued by the National Vaccination Scheduling Service.
“Anyone who has received an appointment letter sent in error for covid-19 vaccination clinics outwith their own area, please disregard this appointment and you will be reappointed by letter shortly.
“Please accept our sincere apologies for the error.”
