Long Queue for a Flu Jab at a Guildford Surgery

Published on: 3 Oct, 2020
Updated on: 5 Oct, 2020

The queue at Wodeland Surgery, in Wodeland Avenue, looping around the car park.

By Martin Giles

About a 100 patients were queuing for an annual flu vaccination at a Guildford surgery this morning.

The queue, which looped around the surgery car park and extended up Wodeland Avenue, was for a walk-in clinic. The clinic was set to run between 9am and 1pm and it was requested that patients attended at half-hour time slots according to the first letter of their surnames.

The vaccinations are recommended for all those over 65 and other more vulnerable groups. Demand is reported to be much higher this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The queue of about 100 patients extended along Wodeland Avenue.

In the invitation letter, the surgery said: “Please be assured that we will be operating a socially distanced queuing system and adhering to strict infection control measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

“No appointment is necessary but we ask if you can please try to attend at the time stated based on the first letter of your surname. We can allow for some flexibility but need to ensure that arrivals are staggered throughout the morning.”

The surgery was contacted for comment but was not accepting calls.

One elderly and disabled patient, registered at the surgery, told The Dragon he had not been contacted about a home visit for his jab and was worried about the reports of a national shortage of the vaccine. Earlier reports in The Dragon showed some Guildford surgeries have not been able to meet demand due to shortages of the vaccine.

The surgery has been asked about home visits for their incapacitated, vulnerable patients.

Are you in a vulnerable group but have been unable to obtain a flu vaccination? Please use the “Leave a reply” feature below to have your say.

Responses to Long Queue for a Flu Jab at a Guildford Surgery

Julie Howarth Reply

October 3, 2020 at 3:16 pm

Drive-through flu vaccination at the Guildford Cathedral for eligible St Luke’s, Warren Road surgery patients today – very well organised into 15-minute pre-booked slots. I was in the first batch and no queuing. You just: show your letter, put your arm out of the window and done. Easy.

It’s further to travel but far quicker and safer process than the crowded surgery waiting room last year.
Thank you St Luke’s. Hope this is a practice for coronavirus vaccination.

Editor’s note: We don’t believe Wodeland Surgery patients waited in a crowded waiting room.
- Martin Elliott Reply
  
  October 3, 2020 at 4:40 pm
  
  I’m an eligible St Lukes Surgery patient.
  
  After several days and ten phone calls met with the engaged signal, I have a time slot on October 12 in the surgery car park.
Keith Childs Reply

October 3, 2020 at 7:06 pm

There was an excellent system at Shere Surgery. Vaccinations were carried out in a gazebo in the car park. Slots were pre-booked with one for each of the two vaccination positions, every two minutes. It worked like clockwork and was a tribute to the organisation by the Surgery staff.

The car park had been decorated for the occasion with bunting prepared from men’s shirts, which had been left over having been donated to make “scrubs”. Well done to the staff of Shere Surgery for making vaccination day such an enjoyable occasion.
- Adam Aaronson Reply
  
  October 4, 2020 at 10:04 pm
  
  I have been a patient at a number of surgeries around the country over the years, but I have never found a surgery that maintains both of these requirements as efficiently as Shere Surgery. So I’m not surprised at Keith Childs’ report above.
  
  I am sure that there’s a lot of paddling underwater to achieve this but I’m always impressed when I need to visit at how efficient the whole team is. It is very noticeable that they work together as a team and not in a vacuum, thus maintaining an elegant balance between good care and good organisation.
Monica Jones Reply

October 3, 2020 at 7:19 pm

I had my Jab today at Guildford Cathedral. So well organised. Thank you St Lukes for arranging this.
Jules Cranwell Reply

October 4, 2020 at 8:44 am

I was asked on Friday to attend my surgery (Horsley Medical Centre) the following day. No queue, and I was in and out in less than five minutes. Brilliant job.
Joan Mead Reply

October 4, 2020 at 11:01 am

We had our flu jabs at Fairlands Surgery last week. Time slots and no waiting, all very well organised.
Maureen Collingwood Reply

October 4, 2020 at 6:42 pm

The queueing-time at Wodeland was definitely lengthy. The traffic was mayhem outside and unfortunately a traffic accident occurred and the police had to attend. I hope the people involved are all okay.

Perhaps next year Guildford County School could be used for this service?