Forum Topic

Over 80’s queuing 45 minutes in the cold for the vaccine at Chiswick health centre

Hi All,Just a word of warning to those taking their loved ones to get vaccinated at Chiswick health centre - we were given a time thinking it was an appointment, it wasn’t and theres at least 30 of our most vulnerable people  stood outside in the freezing cold waiting to go inside! No social distancing either - so if you are booked in, please be aware you will be queueing outside for at least 30 minutes!

Claire Smith ● 2121d68 Comments

Well just as the vaccines became available, a deadly mutation occurred, causing a frenzy. Who would have thought it..

Michael Brown ● 2121d

Is that a nasty gloat Mr Brown?

Sarah Vickers ● 2121d

I think that is dreadful Claire - let's hope Chiswick health care do something about this- totally unacceptable.

Helen Bamberger ● 2121d

I think Michael should just go away.

Helen Bamberger ● 2121d

Absolutely outrageous, keeping vulnerable people outside in these low temperatures. Is it that difficult to safely organise appointments so that the elderly and vulnerable don't have to wait in the cold for 30 - 45 minutes  ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2121d

'I think Michael should just go away.'I hear South Africa is nice at this time of year.

Vanessa Smith ● 2121d

The wait outside is now 1.5 to 2 hours on the ramp outside the Chiswick  Heath Centre.I took the person back home as there was no way I would expect an 80 year old lady to sit in her wheelchair on that ramp in the freezing cold for that long.The NHS need to use a building with a inside waiting area considering the time of year.I just hope that they don't catch anything else as its becoming quiet cold and there is no social distancing that I could see.How to get it all very wrong

Bernard Allen ● 2121d

My neighbours came home both frail They were so cold a kind person phoned them a cabIt’s a nightmare down thereSeemed the delivery was very late arrival hence the long delay

Jon morris ● 2121d

This should be in the national press. I can hardly believe what I read. A country which is so called developed allowing this.

Nicholas Beard ● 2121d

Shame about the late delivery. It may have worked well otherwise. Hope things improve.

Anne England ● 2121d

I arrived with my mum at 4:15 for a 4:20 appt. We were very excited for her to be getting the vaccine but on entry were  worried.  There were too many people in a small space, no one had been asked at the door why there were there.  It was tough to distance and we didn't know how to check in or if we had to sit down.  Its a shame that the vaccine was delayed but I think with some communication and leadership then some of these challenges could have been avoided.  Mum was vaccinated at 5:10 and we left at 5:25.  Delighted that she has been vaccinated and we are so very grateful to all the front line staff for what they do.

N Kelly ● 2121d

"The wait outside is now 1.5 to 2 hours on the ramp outside the Chiswick  Heath Centre."That was Bernard Allen posting at 18:57 this evening. I guess that "now" must have been earlier in the afternoon, as it doesn't match my own experience only a few minutes later.I arrived at 19:11 for a 19:20 appointment.  There was no queue on the ramp. I walked straight in, was seen immediately, was asked a few questions, and was told to sit in a waiting area at the far end of the room.  Within a few minutes I was taken to the vaccination area, sat in a small semi-open cubicle, and had the Pfizer vaccine injected on time at 19:20.  I then had to sit there for 15 minutes, which apparently is a standard procedure with the Pfizer vaccine in case of any allergic reaction.  At 19:35, I was able to leave.The building was certainly very busy when I arrived, but it all seemed well organised and efficient. I hadn't been in Chiswick Health Centre for about 20 years (my GP is based elsewhere) and I have to say that I was quite impressed.And then I read the horror stories in this thread. Maybe I was just lucky.

Richard Jennings ● 2121d

My GP surgery rang  around lunch time to say 3pm appointment was moved to 5.20 due to the delayed arrival of the vaccine.  Parked easily, I used the lift, just me in it, as could see the very crowded ramps - total lack of staff to ensure 2mtr spaces between each patient/carer - I only had 5 mins to get from pavement to the treatment place inside.    Lift fast and OK.  Inside was chaotic with people milling about not sure where they were supposed to check-in or wait.  Lots of medical people and helpers there trying to establish some sort of order but they had not caught up - it was almost an hour after I arrived before I had the vaccination.  That was efficiently and easily done.  I take my hat off to the volunteer staff who had given up their evening and were cheerfully and politely trying to cope.  Very grateful to them.  Management let these wonderful nurses and doctors down.  I hope these chaotic scenes are not repeated - it doesn't need medical staff to organise the place better - any decent office/shop manager could do the job aided by a couple of assistants and some red tape or barriers.  It needed a few large signs and two clerical staff telling patients to keep moving through to the back to the ample sized sitting area, (unfortunately sited beyond the treatmeent cubicles, confused patients all jammed in blocking the narrow pathway)  One seated, another notice needed to tell everyone to wait until given a registration form, fill that in and wait again until a medical person comes to move you into a cubicle for the vaccination and the 15 mins. wait afterwards before going home.  Every person was masked but even so an hour held inside with such a crowd of many elderly strangers and medical staff was not something I really wanted, although I found a quiet corner - I've managed to avoid these types of situations since March 2020.  Fingers crossed I didn't pick up any "nasties" - feel fine pleased to say.    Very delighted I've had my vaccination but shall continue being very careful and segregated from all but my daughter until advised otherwise.

Jennifer Selig ● 2120d

RichardYou must of got lucky as I assure you I don’t makes things up.The very nice young lady with clip board in hand was walking up and down the crowded ramp checking who was who.A lot of people were coming out of the lift area at the time we arrived, so as there was no one else to ask if it was the way out and not in.I couldn’t take a chance with the person I was with, as it ment sitting in her wheel chair in the cold.I did ring the phone number given for the Covid service and the person who answered explained why the hold up, but then said is the person disabled? Because they team will visit them at home. Well that’s the first time I’ve heard that information before.  But as she was rather busy it may be info about another vaccination service.Anyway had to rebook though my GP who also knew about the queuing on the ramp before I told them.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

Just a question for my neighbours Do they do home visits They went yesterday but wait was to long for them I will try for them to rebook They haven’t been out for months .

Jon morris ● 2120d

JonMy info on home visits might not be quiet right, but it’s worth asking the GP about it.I have read on the internet that with the vaccine that’s being used at the moment, a doctor is present while a nurse gives the vaccination in case the patient is allergic to the vaccine.I think the patient has to wait 15 minutes after having the vaccine to see if they have any problems and if they do, the doctor can hopefully sort it out.If that info is correct, I cannot see that happing at home.Although I believe that is not the process with the Oxford vaccine.But I’m not a medical person so it’s best to ask your GP practice for the correct guidance.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

There are plans for a mobile service but I have not heard that it is up and running yet

Iris Hill ● 2120d

Thanks IrisOne them is not able to go as yesterday taken it’s Toll and he has stage 3 cancer which he trying to come to terms with at 85 yrsI do my best Thanks again to all Helpful as ever

Jon morris ● 2120d

JonI found out a little bit of info.Home Visits maybe arranged once the GP surgery's get the vaccine.So that could be a long wait, I guess, again the GP surgery is  where you ask about a Home visit.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

BernardI am waiting on a call backIt will be tomorrow they are checking it for them Thanks again

Jon morris ● 2120d

The Times reports this morning that authorisation of the Jensenn vaccine in expected this month. We have fifty million of those on order and it only requires one dose.We will get there.

Susan Kelly ● 2120d

Home visits would not suit the vaccine that has to be stored at very cold temperatures so that could be the problem.

Micki Hawkes ● 2120d

Wondering how it’s going today hopefully better for all

Jon morris ● 2120d

I went at 10:40 this morning and was out in a half an hour.The half an hour was spent roughly like this: 10 minutes queuing on the ramp, 10 minutes sitting in the booth waiting to be vaccinated and 10 minutes waiting in the booth afterwards in case of a reaction.

Les Fletcher ● 2120d

The vaccination queue at the Health Centre today now stretches all the way down the ramp then along Belmont Road and round the corner into the far distance.

Rima Jones ● 2120d

WHO is responsible for this chaos ? Somebody must be. No doubt they confused mass vaccination with a mass appointment ?

John Southey ● 2120d

My parents had theirs at 12.10 this morning and only waited in the queue outside on the ramp for about 10mins. It was also being marshalled efficiently. However when they came out the queue did indeed stretch down the road.Some people had turned up early, perhaps keen not to miss their slot. Unfortunately there is no indoor waiting facility so if you turn up early queuing outside in the cold is inevitable.  The photos from all over the country suggest that queuing outdoors is the norm.  There may of course have been other problems that caused the length of queue that I am not aware of.

Adam ONeill ● 2120d

Maybe The Health centre could borrow the tunnel from Marks and Spencer.. I hopefully will be called by the end of the month, I don’t want to wait in the cold, I don’t even like popping out to the rubbish bin in this cold.

Maureen Yakoubi ● 2120d

It needs a bigger venue Town hallCatholic centreActon gardens in bollo bridge rd Loads big units to let People going to ill waiting on the injection

Jon morris ● 2120d

My husband had an appointment this morning @11.20 and was see on time.Very efficient .However there were quite a few people queuing who hadn’t got appointments and thought they could just turn up!

Judi Roche ● 2120d

Advice from someone who’s been - “If anyone has an afternoon appointment call health centre first to see if any delay. We came back an hour after appointed time and went straight to front . Also don’t go up the ramp (queue) but into the side and up the stairs/lift ( no queue)”Apparently the problem at the moment is lack of vaccinators due to illness

Mark Perry ● 2120d

Why oh why do you keep repeating baseless conspiracy theories? People are dying and getting ill. Are you starved of attention? I would love to debate you in public when this all over, I will have you for breakfast.

Guy Smith ● 2120d

MarkAlso don’t go up the ramp (queue) but into the side and up the stairs/lift ( no queue)”I tried that last night pushing a wheel chair, but there were so many patients coming out that door I couldn't get in safely.So we had to re-book for Saturday Morning.There is so much miss information being told to us. The Health Centre said we could have a home visit, when checking if that true, the answer was not at the moment.Now you have Boris saying on TV theirs a roll out of vaccine  to GP's and local pharmacy's. Well lets say my GP is not expecting any in the near future or a couple of pharmacy's I've ask.Although I think he's involving the army to run the mass vaccination. One of my family said you walk down a long room with a row of squaddies with needle in their hands. As you walk past each one you get a vaccination, I siad was you worried what about having so many vaccinations at once, he said no I was more worried about the weird looking woman at the end of the row was about to do.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

I am sure it will get easier as more supplies becomes available across 1,000 plus locations. Be grateful if you get a vaccination we are back of the queue and would love one now.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2120d

I have also notified other officers at the Council to look into this urgently so that we can better protect our residents and support the medical centre as best as we can.  Cllr Mushisoron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk07976702887

Ron Mushiso ● 2120d

RonThat should been the case from the start Why no planning

Jon morris ● 2120d

"Why no planning"..because this is a national emergency.Do try and be just a little bit patient..things ARE happening..

Stuart Kerr ● 2120d

The problem at CHCentre yesterday was because the Pfizer delivery was over 3 hrs later.  Small wonder there was chaos as many patients would have already been on their way only to discover none of the many volunteers (docs., nurses and others) could inject them!  The pile up of 3 hours worth of stuck patients obviously caused huge logistical problems.  Fortunately my GP phoned me and neighbours and our apps Were moved  3 hrs down the line.  They were still an hour adrift when I arrived.  My neighbour fared better, an hour later and they'd at last managed to get stewards In place and move people inside much quicker.  There was a large airy seated area at the. Far end of the 1st floor.  I really feel for the harassed volunteer staff but hopefully today and onwards, they not experience a delay of this magnitude again.

Jennifer Selig ● 2120d

We got a call out of the blue this morning to come to Chiswick Health Centre to get a jab at a given time this afternoon, presumably in the 75-80 category. There was indeed a queue of cold oldies stretching down the road and up the ramp, but it was shuffling slowly forward and we were in it for about an hour. That wasn't bad compared with the queue for a Macken's Christmas Xmas turkey, except there was no mulled wine nor sausages. Once inside the building it was very efficient, with helpers directing us to the next available temporary cubicle, while doctors cruised round, jabbing as they went. Out in 25 minutes. PS we saw people coming in by the stairs or the lift being sent to the back of the queue, however well they played the doddery act, as everyone who was there could do that equally well!

Peter Evans ● 2120d

"Is that a nasty gloat Mr Brown?" Sounds suspiciously like one of those annoying little things called facts.

Brian Coyle ● 2120d

I’m with Stuart on this one, if you listened to the briefing the general made it very clear how complex this vaccination programme is he inferred far harder than anything he had to logistically handle in a war situation. Please people, stop moaning, the UK is doing a great job under the most extreme of situations, everyone will get a vaccination. Let’s pull together and support the NHS if people stayed home and didn’t mix perhaps we might not have so many people in hospital and expecting miracles from the wonderful frontline staff to save our life. Be patient and respectful everyone is doing their best.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2120d

I have also notified other officers at the Council to look into this urgently so that we can better protect our residents and support the medical centre as best as we can. Cllr Mushisoron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk07976702887 Thank you Ron for taking this onboard I don't know what could be done, but on one of the other posts there was a long queue again today.I took my wife yesterday and had to turn back and re-book, we don't mind waiting as we do at Hospital appointments, but to wait that long in the bitter cold which most of the patients wouldn't normally venture out in, its a no no for some.It gets really bitterly cold in the evening at this time of year.It would have been a lot better to use the Chiswick Town Hall, as it has two large dance hall size rooms, one for waiting patients and one for the medical staff. Just a Thought.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

Jayne ThorburnSo its OK to give the over 80s Pneumonia while they wait in the cold frosty evening air.I have to agree about staying home to stay out of harms way, but on the way up to the Chiswick Heath Centre on Wednesday night, the A4 was as busy as it normally is that time of day, I thought we were on lock down, whats everyone doing, flouting the law.

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

One suspects that Pfizer's particular awkward frozen state and then preparation and readiness to use the vials requires a constant flow of patients to take up the batch of prepared Pfizer jabs - otherwise, so many vials will be useless. Just surmising. And, that's just the first of two Pfizer jabs when the second is surrounded by controversy as to timing for the follow-up inoculation. Clearly. just the one jab other efficacies are offering wouldn't necessitate queues around the block. Unless, it's all about notching up numbers jabbed. Is it?

Bobbie Carnegie ● 2120d

Bernard please of course I don’t want anyone to stand in the freezing cold for an hour but my point is give the frontline guys a chance as sir Simon said they are getting a lot right we only every talk about the negatives let’s give them a chance, there will be bumps and not everything will be perfect but let’s show a little more respect and that includes stay at home.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2120d

But no one is staying at home.As I said in a couple of posts up, on my way to the Heath Centre the A4 was as busy as it normally is. I thought we were on lock down, where’s everyone going

Bernard Allen ● 2120d

I was thrilled to get my jab and thought the health centre had done a terrific job. I wish people would be grateful and stop moanng

Margaret Chadderton ● 2120d

The delays, on the evidence offered, are clearly due to late delivery of the vaccine. This is not atypical viz. Matt Hancock having a photo call in Camden only to find vaccine delivery had been delayed 24 hours.

David McLoughlin ● 2119d

I have had a response from the Director of Public Health. She is fully briefed on issues that have been raised on here. There are teams working around the clock on on making sure that mass vaccinations of this scale is running as effectively as possible given the circumstances. I quote her;'We are meeting daily to achieve this objective and I will address this with the leadership team responsible for local delivery later this morning to iron out this issue'The medical staff seem to be doing remarkable and I want to associate myself with the good spirits shown by all and words of encouragement on this forum towards them.Cllr Mushiso

Ron Mushiso ● 2119d

Vaccination this lunchtime. Booked for 12.40, in at 12.35, out at 12.50.Chiswick Health Centre was full but although busy, the staff were organised and very good.Get there at appointed time and no problem.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2118d

Appointment was for 08.10am, got there five minutes early- straight in, no queue (but they'd only been open five minutes).  All done and dusted by 08.30 by charming and efficient people.  But don't understand how Jeffery got out in 15 minutes flat, as that's the time you have to sit and wait after you've received the jab and that takes a few minutes.

Micki Hawkes ● 2118d

I've posted this on the other vaccination at Chiswick Health Center thread, but copy it here for readers convenience. My wife and I had our Covid-19 vaccination first dose this morning at 09:20 (appointment received yesterday). No queue, very organized, in and out in about 30 minutes including the required precautionary 15 minutes after the injection. Most of the large waiting area divided into a large number of small cubicles and some of the side rooms as well. They are aiming to do about 1000 vaccinations per day and I think likely to succeed. Very professional; we are both in our late 70s.

Mike Preece ● 2118d

Have Hounslow Medical Authority realised that the refrigeration requirements of the Pfizer vaccine are too demanding for them to handle in the C.Health Centre?  Much better organised today I understand from 2 neighbours who went this afternoon were expecting to have the Pfizer one but got the Oxford one Instead.  Neither minded, just very thankful to have been vaccinated & full of praise for the helpful staff working flat out.

Jennifer Selig ● 2118d

Micki, Well that’s a coincidence, I must of followed you in.Pulled up at 0800 about 10 people waiting, the doors opened on time as I was unloading a wheel chair that I hand to assemble before getting the passenger out of the car.There was no one on the ramp while I push the wheel chair up it to meet the really nice young lady at the top.In we went and it must of taken 30 minutes in total. It wasn't me having the jab.While waiting had quick conversation with the medical person giving the jabs, and so far they are aiming for 1000 a day, also passed the time of day with one of the medial staff I know.Very hectic but  efficient and friendly staff.

Bernard Allen ● 2118d

Having talked to the very organized staff (volunteers, I think), the problems with the queues earlier was people turning up without appointments and attempting to get in front of the age and dependency related priority individuals.

Mike Preece ● 2117d

Having talked to the very organized staff (volunteers, I think), the problems with the queues earlier was people turning up without appointments and attempting to get in front of the age and dependency related priority individuals.

Mike Preece ● 2117d

Not everybody has mobile phones and there are so many different ways that people now get info.

Philippa Bond ● 2116d

Is it Hamlet Act1(or2) Scene 5? The emphasis there should be on "dreamt of", as Hamlet is pointing out how little even the most educated people can explain.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2116d

Despite the hiccups at the start the Chiswick Health Centre seems to be providing a decent service to the residents of Chiswick.I hope it continues to sever all GP surgery’s in the vicinity, hopefully that also means the GP’s in the Ealing part of Chiswick.As I said on another post I wouldn’t want to travel over the the 02 centre which is the mass vaccination centre for London.

Bernard Allen ● 2115d

"As I said on another post "...And as I clearly told you on that 'other' thread, nobody from Chiswick is being forced to travel to the O2 for their jab.If offered and if someone doesn't want to travel, or cannot travel then just say no and you'll be booked in for a jab in W4.

Stuart Kerr ● 2115d

Thank you only just seen itBernard..If you (or anyone) gets a call inviting you for a jab at one of the new huge centres such as the O2 or elsewhere - you are perfectly free to say no.  They'll understand.  You'll be offered a jab at your very local centre.  That's official so stop worrying.

Bernard Allen ● 2115d

But are people aware that an alternative would be offered, or would they think the O2 was their only chance  -  unless they already know, then they might not think to ask.

Micki Hawkes ● 2115d

Precisely Micki..Especially the more timid among us.  That's why I posted.Wouldn't get me on a tube to the 02 at the mo.  Not in a month of Sundays..

Stuart Kerr ● 2115d

From what I’ve read it seems people are getting letters about the option of getting vaccinated in one of the big centres. I may have missed it on one of these postings but how are people being told about appointments locally is it, as is normal for a GP flu vaccination, by text or phone calls?

Michael David Rowe ● 2115d

My wife and I got phone calls last Thursday morning from what sounded like our GP staff to go to Chiswick Health Centre for our jabs later that afternoon. We are both registered there so maybe the process is different if you're not.

Peter Evans ● 2115d

Thanks. I am registered with a GP in Chiswick but I’m in the 70-75 age group for which as far as I know vaccination hasn’t starting yet so I just wondered how it was organised.

Michael David Rowe ● 2115d

The nearest large vaccination centres to us as Epsom Racecourse and Excel London aka the London Nightingale.

Louise Mirwitch ● 2115d

Maybe there are many others waiting... and we should avoid chasing the busy GP.(Heston Village)."Jim don't be pushy..just wait your turn!"

Jim Lawes ● 2115d