Dozens have NHS Lothian vaccine appointments cancelled due to ‘minor system glitch’ after phoning helpline to rebook

Dozens of people who called to change the appointment time for their coronavirus vaccine over the weekend are worried that they will ‘fall through the cracks’ and be left unvaccinated after a ‘minor system glitch’ cancelled their appointments rather than rescheduled them.

Many have phoned back the vaccine helpline to find out their appointments have been cancelled due to system glitch

Several individuals who had received letters regarding vaccine appointments contacted the Evening News to report that having phoned the helpline to change their appointment times, they were advised of a system issue and to call back the following day.

But when they did they were told that due to the issue their appointment had been cancelled entirely rather than rescheduled and were then asked to contact NHS Lothian health board for a new time and date.

However, the vaccine helpline is operated by the Scottish government and many individuals who followed the advice were simply told by the public health department that they had to call back the vaccine helpline.

One worried OAP who contacted the Evening News said: “I appreciate glitches will happen but surely the helpline should have been given the ability to reschedule the appointments of all those who had theirs inadvertently, and through no fault of their own, cancelled.

“It makes me worried that we will simply fall through the cracks and miss out on the vaccine rollout.

“I phoned back but there may be dozens of people out there who phoned up to change their appointment and have no idea that their appointment has been cancelled, that’s the worry.”

The Scottish government has advised that the ‘minor fault’ on the booking system has now been fixed for anyone calling up regarding their vaccine, but it is not clear how and when those affected by the fault will be contacted about their appointment. It was not advised exactly how many people the fault had affected.

A government spokesperson said: “We have been clear with NHS Lothian that they must ensure that anyone who had a problem with their appointment is contacted to resolve the matter.”

However, it is understood that the NHS have firmly advised the Scottish government that staff are unable to rebook appointments for anyone affected as they do not have access to the vaccine booking system nor do they have any of the contact details of those affected by the glitch.

It is therefore not yet clear if those affected have been notified of the cancelled appointment, not is it known how the appointment can be rebooked.

Sources have also said that the Scottish government has been urged by the NHS to publish guidance about what to do if you have been affected by the glitch as they are unable to assist, however this is yet to happen.

The Scottish government has been approached for further comment.

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