And next we will be having to get our flue vaccination. We both got separate letters from NHS Scotland "strongly recommending" we get our flue jags this year. Ok, we've always got them in the past so no argument there, Although last year's did not address the flue which nearly killed Mrs J last new year. It then went on to tell us to either contact a phone number, go to a website, or contact our surgery. I did the latter. "No, we will not be doing the vaccinations this year, you'll get a letter about it". Well, that was informative wasn't it?
I decided not to try the website as I often get lost on them so I rang the 0800 number given in the letter. I think it was NHS Scotland? Anyway a very nice Scottish lady spent quite some time trying to find out where we were to go for the inoculation. Eventually she said "Fife" (and some medical centre I'd never heard of) I pointed out that Fife is quite a big place and on the other side of the Firth of Forth to us so not just five minutes round the corner. Hold on said she - so held on, for quite a while. she came back with "sorry, I got your postcode wrong" (or somesuch) "you're to go to the Scottish Government buildings at the kay." We presume she means the enormous, monolithic, office block at Victoria quay in Leith Docks. I hope they have it well signposted as you could wander round that place for hours and still not find where you're looking for. The parking is nonexistent - maybe I could park at Ocean Terminal Mall and walk along? For sure I'm not going on public transport. I'm sure there will be considerable queuing required, I'd like to know how big a catchment area it's serving? So now, after the farce that was the testing queue at the airport for Mrs J's covid test, I'm worrying about the availability of toilets for us oldies? and what about if the weather is poor? - at the airport we were in our cars (and boy did it rain) I don't really understand why it can't be done at our own surgery. The place is deserted - I know, we've been there twice recently for other health issues. A table in the entrance porch with a socially distanced walking queue would do it nicely.
I decided not to try the website as I often get lost on them so I rang the 0800 number given in the letter. I think it was NHS Scotland? Anyway a very nice Scottish lady spent quite some time trying to find out where we were to go for the inoculation. Eventually she said "Fife" (and some medical centre I'd never heard of) I pointed out that Fife is quite a big place and on the other side of the Firth of Forth to us so not just five minutes round the corner. Hold on said she - so held on, for quite a while. she came back with "sorry, I got your postcode wrong" (or somesuch) "you're to go to the Scottish Government buildings at the kay." We presume she means the enormous, monolithic, office block at Victoria quay in Leith Docks. I hope they have it well signposted as you could wander round that place for hours and still not find where you're looking for. The parking is nonexistent - maybe I could park at Ocean Terminal Mall and walk along? For sure I'm not going on public transport. I'm sure there will be considerable queuing required, I'd like to know how big a catchment area it's serving? So now, after the farce that was the testing queue at the airport for Mrs J's covid test, I'm worrying about the availability of toilets for us oldies? and what about if the weather is poor? - at the airport we were in our cars (and boy did it rain) I don't really understand why it can't be done at our own surgery. The place is deserted - I know, we've been there twice recently for other health issues. A table in the entrance porch with a socially distanced walking queue would do it nicely.
