The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, has raised concerns with executives of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, following reports from elderly constituents that they are witnessing long waiting times, outside in wintery weather, to receive the Covid-19 booster vaccination.
Janet has written to the Health Board’s Chief Executive, Jo Whitehead, to outline her concerns and request that the Board advise as to what steps can be taken to combat the long waiting times and improve patient care whilst waiting. The Member has also contacted the Vaccination Programme Manager for BCUHB, to highlight her concerns.
Addressing the concern, Janet said:
“The success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across the constituency of Aberconwy is a testament to our dedicated local workforce and volunteers, in all their guises, who have continued to push forward to ensure that our residents are safeguarded and providing the opportunity for recovery.
“Many constituents have kindly sent gracious emails to my office which underscore the selfless job that those working on this vaccination programme have carried out. However, I am becoming increasingly concerned by reports from some of society’s most vulnerable that they are waiting outside, in cold and wintery weather, to receive their booster jab.
“The administration of this new booster programme is the responsibility of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which is why I have written to its Chief Executive to outline my concerns and request that she advise as to what steps can be taken to combat these long waiting times and improve the care of those waiting.
“In the meantime, I urge all constituents to turn up to the vaccination centre at the time specified on their invitation and not before. Whilst early attendance is usually a polite sign of eagerness, in this instance it could be contributing to the prolonged waits being experienced.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
