HSE thanks GPs for patience admitting ‘some issues’ with delivering vaccines to clinics

THE HSE HAS thanked the GPs “for their patience” as the executive admitted that there have been some problems in some surgeries to obtain supplies of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a briefing this afternoon, HSE CEO Paul Reid said 54,691 vaccines were administered to more than 85 in GP settings last week, beyond what he said was a target of 49,000.

Despite this, he said that the delivery model for GPs “is not straightforward” and that some vaccine deliveries that were scheduled for this week were not met.

“We have definitely had some problems this week in a series of practices between cold chain deliveries and some will be rescheduled for next week. But the vast, vast majority of those over 85 will be ready by the end of the week, ”he said.

Reid said there were difficulties accessing about 65 practices that serve 750-800 patients in the 85-plus age group.

He said the HSE had to put in place “an improved support structure” as part of its plans this week.

“I want to thank the GPs for their patience in working with us. I know it has been frustrating for them, and it was frustrating for their patients in particular, with some of the issues this week. But we are adopting our support arrangements, there is a call center and we are putting in additional resources, ”Reid said.

When asked about call centers, Reid said that “there is not a large number” who work in the centers and that they have up to 10 people who take calls.

Rural zones

The HSE has several different vaccine delivery models for different GP’s offices based on their size, and smaller offices are encouraged to “team up” with others.

When asked today why some practices haven’t done this, HSE Clinical Director Dr. Colm Henry said it may be because of their location.

“Why individual practices cannot be associated, there may be individual reasons, remoteness, rural nature, the small number that I don’t know,” he said.

It is up to us, to work with them, for whatever reason they have, to achieve that common goal that we all share, which is to get this vaccine to people, no matter how small the number of people in a practice is.

Syringes

Concerns have also been raised about the equipment for GPs, with a Galway doctor telling the Today with Claire Byrne show on RTÉ Radio that he drove through Connemara on Saturday night to collect syringes because they were not delivered with vials from the Pfizer vaccine.

When asked if it was a widespread problem, Reid said:

On consumables, as we would call it, we have investigated any cases where we have been informed that consumables were not there in advance or in a timely manner for the administration of the vaccine. Certainly, those who have alerted me have been investigated.

“To those of us who have been alerted and identified to date, we have been able to trace that consumers were delivered, but if they haven’t, please let us know.”