This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"COVID Vaccine and Hospitals"

About: NHS Sheffield CCG Royal Hallamshire Hospital / Clinical haematology

(as a service user),

Every day we hear on the news about the outstanding vaccine roll-out in the UK but I am writing to let people know that it is not the case for everyone.   My husband who is in he's 70's, is undergoing cancer treatment and so he is extremely vulnerable.   He had to turn down his first offer of his 2nd vaccine due to impending cancer treatment which would have been affected by it.   While he was an in-patient in the hospital he was denied the 2nd vaccine when offered a 2nd time by the GP.   It was now clinically suitable but the hospital told us that they had no access to vaccine!   So my husband was left vulnerable for over 4 weeks in hospital as they had no means to get one for him.  

The GP surgery thought we were being difficult but we were told we could not discharge him for a vaccine as it was too 'impractical' to re-admit him due to COVID restrictions.   I don't think anyone so vulnerable should have to fight for the 2nd vaccine or stay in a hospital with COVID patients in the building without being vaccinated.  

Our experience led us to believe that patients in hospitals are being denied vaccine and left vulnerable to infection.  6 weeks after his first offer, my husband has finally had his 2nd vaccine as the nursing home would not take him without it.   But the hospital had to discharge him, put him in a taxi and transport him to the GP and back to get it.  

The fact that in our experience hospitals have no vaccine feels shocking on the part of the NHS which must be affecting vulnerable patients up and down the country.    

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Deborah Hopkinson, Patient Experience Co-ordinator, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2 years ago
Deborah Hopkinson
Patient Experience Co-ordinator,
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 26/05/2021 at 15:49
Published on Care Opinion at 15:49


Hospital in-patient vaccination service

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and concerns with us via Care Opinion. Sally Conlan, Deputy Nurse Director - Covid 19 Vaccination Programme has responded to say that she is sorry to read about your and your husband’s experiences. She is sorry that there was a delay in your husband receiving a second vaccine but was pleased to hear that this has now been administered.

She reports that recently Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have implemented an in-patient vaccination service at the hospitals. A protocol with clinical criteria is in place for clinicians to refer their patients to the service and a member of staff from the vaccination centre attends the hospital to carry out the vaccination.

In order to look at your husband’s specific case and to respond personally we would be grateful if you could contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to provide your husband’s personal details - full name, address, date of birth, his NHS or hospital number if known. PALS can be contacted by telephoning 0114 230 7495 or by emailing sth.pals@nhs.uk

Kind regards

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k