HEALTH chiefs in Glasgow have apologised to around 100 pensioners who were forced to queue in the cold for their flu jags yesterday. 

Scores of elderly and vulnerable people were pictured lined up outside Partick Burgh Hall in temperatures of "10 degrees and dropping" as they waited for their annual boosters. 

Those in the queue can be seen waiting in wheelchairs and others bearing walking sticks with nowhere to sit. 

One pensioner said: "The nurse told us that they were short-staffed and that there would be a wait to be seen, but they didn't say how long it would take. 

"We were waiting in temperatures of around 10 degrees for more than an hour and a half. My legs were aching by the time I eventually sat down.

"The queue was right around the corner of the building and tailed back to around 100 people at one point."

Some pensioners were forced to abandon their appointments due to the conditions.

Glasgow Times:

One carer, who looks after his father, said: “We arrived in plenty of time for the appointment to find out that we were in a queue of around 100 people.

“We were told that we would need to wait at least one hour before we would be seen. The queue was mainly full of elderly, disabled and vulnerable people waiting out in the cold.

“It was around nine degrees and dropping, the day was drawing in, it was starting to get dark and there was no seating for the elderly.

“It was completely shambolic we had to walk away and abandon the appointment. Due to my dad’s Parkinson’s and lung disease, he can’t stand for 10 minutes never mind one hour.”

The carer blasted NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's (NHSGG&C) flu vaccination plan for the elderly and vulnerable in Partick and called on the health board for better preparation.

He said: "I am amazed that those in charge of this - who have medical knowledge - would not have seen this as unworkable and a very poor setup considering the age group that was currently being vaccinated before the situation ever arose."

The health board said it was "sorry" for the poor planning, adding it was short-staffed due to people attending the facility without an appointment. 

A spokesperson said: "This year marks one of the largest flu vaccination rollouts ever and across Greater Glasgow and Clyde we expect to offer the vaccine to more than 700,000 people.

"We are sorry that people had to wait longer than they would have expected when they arrived for their vaccination appointment at Partick Burgh Halls.

"This was because we had some gaps in our staffing, due to a number of people attending without an appointment. Staff at the site were on hand to assist with providing chairs, where required, and water for those having to wait longer than expected."

Any patient concerned about accessing a clinic should call the national flu hotline on 0800 030 8013.

People with mobility issues who need to attend a vaccination centre can use SPT's bookable, door-to-door MyBus service.

Registration is required prior to booking and advance booking is recommended, as capacity is limited due to social distancing requirements.

Details are available at spt.co.uk/bus/mybus or by phoning 0345 128 4025.