Dismay as Wigan pensioners asked to travel to Widnes or Birmingham for coronavirus vaccine

A Wigan pensioner was stunned to be told to travel as far away as Birmingham to receive the coronavirus vaccination.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the majority of people in England will live within 10 miles of an immunisation clinic by the end of the month.

But that is not soon enough for great-grandfather Ray Foster, who will have to travel for miles to receive the jab on Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His wife Margot said: “I was disgusted really because when Matt Hancock was on TV he said you won’t have to go further than 10 miles. We got offered a place in Birmingham, Macclesfield, Manchester or Widnes. I know Widnes sounds quite near, but it’s not, it’s quite a way away.”

Ray and Margot FosterRay and Margot Foster
Ray and Margot Foster

The issue comes after the Wigan Post and its sister titles across the country launched a campaign urging the Government to allow local pharmacists to carry out vaccinations in their communities, rather than having elderly and vulnerable people travel for miles.

The Fosters tried to find an alternative location for the jab but nothing was available, so an appointment has been booked for 84-year-old Mr Foster on Friday evening in Widnes.

Mrs Foster, who live in Orrell, said: “We have no other choice. I rang 119 and the man I spoke to said the only thing we can do is keep going online every day to see if there are any more sites. I have been doing that every day and I am still only offered the same ones.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Neither he nor his wife drives, so their daughter will take him to get the vaccination on Friday. Another trip to Widnes will have to be made in April for him to receive the second dose.

Our campaign calls for the jab to be offered at pharmaciesOur campaign calls for the jab to be offered at pharmacies
Our campaign calls for the jab to be offered at pharmacies

Mrs Foster, 78, has not yet been invited to receive the injection, but fears she will have to make the same journey when it is her turn.

And she is baffled as to why her brother, who is registered with the same GP surgery, was vaccinated at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan, but her husband has to travel for miles.

She said: “It’s chaos. I just wonder how their minds works. They say they are rolling out these vaccines and promise everything, but then over a small thing like this, they can’t even organise it properly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We can wait and see when the GP surgery gets the vaccine, but we don’t know when that will be. We want it done as soon as possible, so there is no question of not going, but I think Birmingham is a bit far. When I looked at it, I thought, ‘you must be joking’. It’s just horrendous.”

Mr Foster, who had a stroke two years ago and is cared for by his wife, has not left home for 12 months to protect himself from contracting coronavirus.

It is hoped the vaccination will finally allow him to get fresh air outside once more, go on days out and spend more time with his family, which includes five children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren

Invitations to be vaccinated miles away have been received by a number of Wiganers, with their loved ones sharing their thoughts on Wigan Today’s Facebook page.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wendy Pennington said: “When I went online for my dad we were only offered Manchester, Widnes, Telford or Birmingham. We’ve booked for Manchester but will see if his GP offers one at Robin Park. It would have been more helpful if Wigan or Leigh were listed on the national vaccine site.”

Kaye Wilcock said: “10 miles?? My dad was offered Birmingham!!”

John Sharrock said: “Yep my 90 year old Nan has just had her letter, advising her to go to Widnes or Birmingham!”

David Swift said: “Same happened to my mother - who’s 83 and doesn’t drive. She wants to have the vaccine but will clearly have to wait for a more local appointment to be available.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Angela Hall said: “My mum had a letter to get her vaccine and the website told her to travel from Wigan to Birmingham for it. My dad’s still waiting for his letter and she doesn’t drive. Bonkers!”

Norma Fraser said: “These are 80 year olds. They should not have to travel more than one mile. Give the vaccine to local doctors to administer.”

This week the NHS sent more than 630,000 letters to people aged 80 or over who live 30 to 45 minutes’ drive from one of seven new sites explaining that they can book a slot over the phone or online to receive the vaccine.

But some elderly people were said to be “panicking” after they were invited to sites to which they could not travel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Those who receive the letter do not have to take one of those appointments if it is too far to travel and can wait for a local appointment if they would prefer.”

NHS England also advised that over-80s can ignore the letter if they would prefer to wait to attend a hospital or GP service for their vaccine.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here