Patients face delay for Covid-19 vaccines AGAIN as GP surgeries wait for delivery of jabs

Practices in East Durham were already faced with cancelling appointments for priority patients before Christmas, with the NHS stating there had been a change in plan because it wanted to avoid running a clinic on Christmas Day.

But with the festive period now out of the way, GP bases have again been faced with telling residents their jab date has been rescheduled after the delivery expected to cover this week’s immunisations was pushed back until Friday, January 8.

Easington’s Labour MP Grahame Morris has previously written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock asking for an explanation for the delays and raised concerns after he heard rumours the vaccine destined for his area had been diverted to the South of England.

Dame Jackie Daniel, chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust replied to say claims they were being sent elsewhere were unfounded, with the holiday the only reason for the change.

Mr Morris is continuing to raise issues regarding the delays following the second setback.

Today, he said: “The government have lost control of the Covid crisis.

"The Prime Minister has had a year to prepare an effective vaccine roll out.

”Instead, patients arriving for pre-arranged appointments are being turned away as vaccines have not been received to GP services.

"I have no confidence in the Prime Minister; he has over-promised and under-delivered.

“When we needed a competent government, we have had u-turns, a failed testing system, and a faulting vaccine roll out.

"The government's failure has led to prolonged and damaging lockdowns, and a loss of life on a scale few other countries have experienced.

"I hope people can stay safe until the vaccine is made available in East Durham."

The Department for Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.

Easington and Peterlee Medical Group, which has already faced supply issues, said it was pencilling in appointments from Saturday following issues with its delivery.

It told followers: “We are just one of a number of practices in the area that this has happened to.

"Please note this is not something we want to do and please understand we are extremely disappointed at this news.

“This delay is completely out of the practices’ control.”

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