Overview

Went for my flu and COVID vaccinations this morning to the Stockbridge health centre to be met with a set up that was completely unsafe in relation to Covid infection for older and vulnerable people. While face masks are not mandatory they are still recommended in health care settings. I was met by a receptionist without a face mask, and no screen, despite the fact she was dealing with the high risk members of society. There were no face masks to hand, nor was anyone offered one when they walked in, I can't remember seeing hand sanitizer either. People were sitting close together and not one member of the public was wearing a face mask, including the old guy coughing away. As the COVID rates are approx 1:45, there is a high chance that someone will have COVID coming through the doors today. I at 59 was the youngest there and was the only one asked for a letter, which made me feel as if she didn't believe me, that I was eligible for vaccinations, unlike the older people who she didn't ask but just checked the list. I said I needed to sit down and she told me to wait a minute, completely ignoring the fact I was using a walking aid. I then realised that she and everyone else did not have any face coverings and asked to sit somewhere safe as I was immune compromised. She then preceded to tell me that she didn't have to use a mask as they weren't mandatory, despite being around vulnerable folks, so was not interested in infection control, nor protecting vulnerable people. She did briefly put a mask on for me but soon took it off. She initially suggested putting a seat at the end of the long corridor, despite my mobility issues. Then put it in the entrance area. When I went to get my vaccination, I was beginning to panic, and the nurse that was to give me my vaccinations, reinforced that its not mandatory to wear a mask, and preceded to lecture me that some are exempt! (not very one, as no one was wear a mask, including younger relatives that had brought older folks in) As an asthmatic, I am exempt but choice to wear one to protect others, then told me that the 4 layer freshly laundered one I was wear was useless (which they are not, they do give protection to other). So as a health care professional rather than settling a distressed patient made me feel even worse, her attitude was terrible. I asked her to just get on with it so I could get out of there as quickly as possible. The one saving grace was the health care assistant who sat with me for 5 minutes afterwards, with a face mask on and understood that its about infection control for everyone. If you are vulnerable I would avoid this vaccination centre at all costs, its not COVID safe and the overall staff attitude was appalling. In contrast my partner was at a vaccination Centre at the Gyle shopping Centre, where the staff were professional, well organised and offering face masks to everyone who came through the doors, and yes, when offered nearly everyone was taking and using the mask, so protecting others. Or my brother who had his flu vaccination at his local pharmacy, where again all staff were wear face masks and customers were encouraged to wear a face mask to keep others safe.

Transport & Parking

There are bus stops close by, but its a steep walk up to the centre. There are 2 blue badge bays, both full, and parking on a Sunday is difficult due to the Sunday food market being very close

Access

I was only on the ground floor and walk with either a stick or walking frame, so there was easy access with automatic doors. I wasn't offered any printed lit, unlike others so I don't know if any other formats were available. There was limited seating and the receptionist didn't hear me when I said I needed to sit down, totally ignoring the fact she had a disabled patient with mobility issues in front of her.

Toilets

Staff

Poor welcome, appalling attitude from all but the kind health care assistant. Lectured at by the nurse giving the vaccinations for wanting to be in a COVID safe environment, when it was unsafe, with currently high and increasing levels of infection. And instead of helping to relax a distressed panicking patient in tears, was met with hostility and being told off, made to feel worse for wanting a safe enviroment. Health care staff should know that there are still tens of thousands of people who are at very high risk of getting very sick from COVID and take appropriate action as we are still in the middle of a pandemic, COVID has not gone away.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

COVID precautions - NONE - no masks visable or offered, no request of "are you able to wear a mask? and then offering one if the person could, couldn't see hand sanitiser, no social distancing, no screen for the receptionist so they were very close to you when booking in, seating all close together, vaccinations done in an internal room, so not fully ventilated on a day with numerous people going in and out the room. This centre needs to put in basic COVID precautions. The only exception was the nurse giving the vaccination and the health care assistant wear masks I would definately not recommend this centre with poor COVID control and the poor and lax attitude of the majority of the staff. I will not go back again.