COVID19 VACCINATIONS

If you missed your appointment at a Surgery clinic or can't manage the appointment we have given you, there are a couple of clinics at Smithton Church in November, but these are APPOINTMENT ONLY (not walk in clinics). You can book an appointment via the online portal If you missed your appointment at a Surgery clinic or can't manage the appointment we have given you, there are a couple of clinics at Smithton Church in November, but these are APPOINTMENT ONLY (not walk in clinics). You can book an appointment via the online portal VACCINE BOOKING

We want to reassure patients that they have not been overlooked when it comes to getting their first Covid19 vaccination. We are hearing concerns from patients because their age group is receiving vaccinations in other parts of the area and UK, but they don't have an appointment date yet.

All practices follow rules about who can receive the vaccination and the target dates for this to be achieved as per Scottish Government. Practices may have different patient numbers in each group and could be potentially be at different stages in the roll out, for example, if we have a large over 65 group compared to other surgeries, this will take us longer to get through vaccinating patients in younger age groups.

We are also not in control of our vaccine supply which is allocated by NHS Highland. There is, at times, little notice of when supplies will arrive hence the lack of providing early appointment dates. The supply can also be in small numbers - our last order a couple of weeks ago supplied us with only 80 doses.

We are getting a lot of calls asking when patients will be vaccinated, but we cannot plan clinics until we know the vaccine is delivered.

It would be really helpful if patients don't 'phone and tie up our lines. We just don't have any information we can give because we don't know ourselves until NHS Highland informs us. Staff are simply unable to answer these questions and we will contact you as soon as stock becomes available to us.

CHANGED YOUR MIND ABOUT YOUR COVID19 VACCINATION?

If you declined your covid19 vaccination as you were, for example, working away or were abroad on the dates that were offered to you, and you want vaccinated now, you should contact the Surgery. Stock allowing, we may have a mop-up clinic towards the end of all cohorts being vaccinated or NHS Highland may be able to help.

UNPAID CARERS

If you are an unpaid carer, you can self-identify/ register on-line via https://www.nhsinform.scot/carersregister or by calling the national contact centre: 0800 030 8013.

CABS FOR JABS

Inverness Cabs for Jabs provide a free taxi service for elderly and vulnerable patients to take them to and from their home address to their covid vaccination appointment. If you are in these categories and need transport, please contact the Surgery at least a few days before your appointment. Surgery staff will send your details to Cabs for Jabs and you will be contacted to arrange transport.