Blackpool LINk

A patient attended South King Street Practice for her flu jab. When she arrived, the queue was outside the practice as other patients were attending the morning surgery as well as patients attending for their flu jab. We wrote to NHS Blackpool and asked that as this vaccine is aimed at elderly and disabled patients as well as those with serious health conditions, please would they provide clarity on whether it is NHS Blackpool who commission all GP Practices to invite patients to receive the vaccine, and whether it is up to each individual practice to either run a clinic on the basis of first come, first served or by appointment only? The patient has made a formal complaint to the practice.

Response from NHS Blackpool - NHS Blackpool raised this with our primary care team, who raised the issue at a contract review meeting with the practice. The practice are aware that it caused issues this around because they only ran a few clinics on a drop in rather than an appointment basis, hence the pressures caused at that time. In addition for over 65's, Atrial Fibrilation (heart function) test and dementia test was also done. They have reviewed the system, incorporating lessons learned from this year, and will employ a different system next year.

NHS Blackpool do commission the vaccine, but it is up to practices how they facilitate the administration of the vaccine to vulnerable groups.

If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily by a practice, the patient can then complain to the PCT.