Covid in Scotland: Army brought in to help Lothian vaccine rollout
- Published
The army previously administered vaccines at this temporary centre at the Royal Highland Showground near Edinburgh
The military has been called in to speed up NHS Lothian's vaccine roll out, the health board has confirmed.
It said that the move was to ensure the number of vaccines administered in the area could be scaled up in line with national guidance.
British Army soldiers helped to establish 80 Covid vaccine centres across Scotland earlier this year.
Last week the board apologised, external to patients who had to wait in long queues to receive their vaccines.
NHS Lothian's Pat Wynne said that the board had invited the Armed Forces back to two vaccination centres where they had previously helped, and they would now return to provide extra capacity.
He said: "The vaccination programme is accelerating across Scotland, in line with national guidance, to help beat new variants and provide protection to as many people as possible.
"NHS Lothian has previously worked with the British Army in two of our vaccination centres and we have invited them to return to provide extra capacity across our centres and join the race to administer the lifesaving vaccine to people of all ages and backgrounds.
"So far, the number of vaccination appointments in Lothian has increased by an extra 11,000 this week alone, bringing the total to 97,000. These are not just first dose appointments but also include people who need to have their second dose and those who rescheduled their appointments."
Mr Wynne said the armed forces would join NHS Lothian's team of nearly 1,200 vaccinators and almost 100 admin staff when they begin work at centres next week.
He added that NHS Lothian vaccinators who work on a part-time or shift basis as part of the board's staff bank were also being contacted by email and text to offer extra shifts to continue to boost extra capacity.
'Critical position'
The Edinburgh Evening News reported on Tuesday that vaccinators were sent a text last week, external warning that more staff were "urgently" required for this week.
According to the paper, the text read: "Covid mass vaccination centres are in a critical position on Monday 31 May.
"We urgently require vaccinators in all sites this week. Please consider helping the NHS in this difficult period".
NHS Lothian said recruiting extra staff members to work with core staff to meet additional capacity was "standard practice".
Meanwhile, health officials at NHS Tayside have revealed up to half of vaccination appointments at centres in Dundee and Perth have been missed on some days in recent weeks.
They believe some people have not received their appointments because they are no longer at the address held by their GP.
Dundee is to remain in level two restrictions because of a significant increase in cases in the last few days and anyone who cannot attend their appointment is being urged to re-schedule it.
'Very high' uptake in Glasgow
Elsewhere, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has apologised for the second day in a row after people were again left waiting in long queues to receive their vaccines.
On Monday it said reduced staffing due to the bank holiday and "very high" uptake over the previous few days had led to long waits at The Hydro.
The same factors were also blamed on Tuesday after similar problems at the entertainment venue.
An NHSGGC spokesman said: "From tomorrow we will have increased staffing levels, and look forward to welcoming those with appointments, and those who are able to take advantage of our drop-in clinic.
"As the drop-in runs all day, people need not feel anxious and can arrive throughout the day for their vaccination."
The spokesman added people would be made aware of potential waiting times, provided with water and, if required, support with mobility.
- Published18 January 2021
