'Why can't I get a Covid jag in Badenoch and Strathspey?'
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A big blank on the map where Badenoch should be, that was the result this week to questions about NHS Highland's roll-out of the latest round of Covid vaccinations.
Social media has been crammed with complaints about the lack of local appointments for the latest roll-out of jags.
The only clinic organised locally to date is at Boat of Garten Community Hall next Monday from 9am to 3pm and aimed at frontline health and social care workers and for flu.
The further booster vaccination programme started to be delivered on Monday with those in high-risk groups urged to get the jab to protect themselves against Covid-19.
As with previous campaigns, vaccinations will be offered first to frontline health and social care workers and those who are most vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
Appointments were made available in August, and many people have already received their letters.
Highland Council convener and local councillor Bill Lobban said: "What the hell is going on with the NHS Covid vaccination programme in Badenoch and Strathspey.
"People in Newtonmore being told go to Boat of Garten. Others in Aviemore to Inverness whilst their next door neighbours have to go to the Boat.
"Not everyone has a car
"Why did we build a fantastic new hospital if not to serve the community. Why is use not being made of the old, empty Health Centre.
"So many questions and simply no answers."
Kingussie resident Tony Hadley asked: “What is it with NHS Scotland, whenever they take charge of vaccination appointments, chaos ensues.
"When the local GPs took over everything ran very smoothly. They understood what was required, even married couples were offered consecutive appointments.
“This time NHS Scotland is back in charge. The local GPs have been frozen out.”
At Nethy Bridge, John Kirk said: “This is madness. We’re supposed to be green but I certainly couldn’t cycle all the way to Inverness for my jag. Some Nethy folk have to go to Inverness.”
Kincraig resident Deirdre Falconer said: "Our 91 year old uncle with dementia needs to go to Boat of Garten then following week my husband needs to go to Inverness – so two lengthy journeys when surely the local surgeries or hospital could give the jags?"
NHS Highland has told the Strathy that solutions are being sought for more local vaccination clinics.
A spokesperson said: “We are operating a new booking and appointment system and as with any new way of working there can occasionally be teething issues as the programme is rolled out.
“Our teams work very hard behind the scenes to minimise any disruption this may cause, but we are sorry that on this occasion it has not worked the way we would want it to.
“For people that have been sent to a location not suitable we do have capacity to provide alternative locations to meet personal circumstances.
"The public can contact our local Service Delivery Centre Helpline on 08000 320 339 or email to nhsh.covidvaccine@nhs.scot where our teams can look at more suitable options.
“The national vaccination helpline is at 0800 030 8013.”
Details of the latest NHS Highland Covid clinics can be found here
The situation in Aviemore
Aviemore Medical Practice has posted this message on its website outlining why it no longer delivering Covid jags.
The statement reads: "The GP contract with the government changed a few years ago and GP practices are no longer the preferred delivery model for vaccinations.
"As NHS Highland has not fully implemented taking over vaccinations in our area, GP practices can still participate on an optional basis if they have capacity (you will find that in most other health boards in Scotland all vaccinations are already run by them and not GP practices and this has been the case for some time).
"So this means that some practices in Highland are still doing all their vaccinations, most are doing a small part only (certain age groups) and others who do not have capacity have stopped completely.
"Due to our move to the new hospital and taking on other clinical obligations we as a practice do not have capacity to run Covid booster vaccination clinics for our patients and NHS Highland will run these instead.
"They will be in contact with eligible patients directly about their Covid booster vaccination clinics in due course."
