Rachael Hamilton MSP has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport seeking answers over concerns raised by constituents on the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Many constituents have contacted the Borders MSP with concerns on a range of issues relating to the jab rollout.
Dr Andrew Buist, chair of the GP Committee for the British Medical Association, said on BBC Politics Scotland, “the current problem lies with the next priority group, which is the 80-plus group, which GPs in Scotland are set to vaccinate because the supply of the vaccine so far has been quite patchy. Some practices have a good supply, some have had none so far."
As of Friday, NHS Borders region had the highest number of people vaccinated in mainland Scotland.
With plans for mass vaccination centres, Mrs Hamilton asked in her letter where in the Borders a centre would be located, if people can travel across the border to Berwick/Carlisle centres and how many people will be working in these centres.
With the announcement that the armed forces are to join the rollout of the vaccine, constituents were keen to know how many personnel will be helping in the effort.
Mrs Hamilton also raised concerns over the vaccination of unpaid carers, transport to and from vaccination centres/GP practices as well as whether the Scottish Government has enough supply to meet its target of all 80s receiving the first dose of the vaccination by February.
Scotland wide figures last week showed that if the Scottish Government continues on the current daily dose trajectory, key targets, such as all over 80s being vaccinated by February, will be missed.
Rachael Hamilton MSP has said she will ‘leave no stone unturned’ until everyone who wants a vaccination in the Borders receives one within the target time.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“I have been inundated with questions over the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and I am here to take those questions direct to the Health Secretary.
“People have a right to know when they will be next in line to receive the vaccine.
“Many are looking down south, seeing the remarkable progress there and wondering why the SNP are behind the curve up here.
“I want to thank the NHS staff, volunteers and armed forces personnel who are doing a sterling job by working flat out to ensure they can vaccinate as many people as is safely possible.
“Now we need to see the SNP Government ramp up the vaccine rollout and provide much more information on their rollout programme because there is absolutely no time to waste.
“The sooner we vaccinate people, the sooner we can return to normality.
“Let me be clear, I will leave no stone left unturned.
“They need to get this right and I will continue to hold them to account when they fall short”.