The final step was taken this afternoon for opening a vaccination centre in Stonehaven’s Invercarron Resource Centre.
Approval was given by Aberdeenshire Council’s communities committee for minor works costing £75,000 to make it fit for purpose. This includes flooring works, removal of built-in cupboards, privacy film on ground floor windows, addition of a wash hand basin, improved lighting, and making space for vaccine fridges plus hard-wiring. The work should take about six weeks.
The new centre will cater for nearly all vaccinations including flu, covid, and shingles for residents across Kincardine and Mearns.
If approval had not been given today then residents would have had to travel to Aberdeen or further afield for vaccinations. Nationally general practices no longer offer such vaccination services.
Currently Stonehaven Town Hall hosts the vaccination centre but it is being returned to normal use on 1 April.
The decision to use Invercarron was not one made by Aberdeenshire Council and legally councillors had no discretion today about the procurement approval. The decision had been taken by the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). Councillors were told that alternative venues were considered, but Invercarron was the only viable option.
The proposal attracted some opposition from Stonehaven residents. Accordingly the committee agreed today on a 12-2 vote to instruct officers to review the governance route and processes, and to establish a focus group with community representatives, the HSCP, council officers and other appropriate services, and that they assess the need and map out possible solutions for the groups who have been displaced from Invercarron.
The HSPC has also given an undertaking to review the situation annually.
I’ve no idea where this centre is in Stonehaven. Furthermore why are GP’s not being tasked with delivering these vaccinations? Why no public opinions sought on where people wanted to go? Why no centre identified in Portlethen rather than add to pollution by travelling further afield?
The Invercarron Vaccination Centre is in Low Wood Road, at the junction with Dunnottar Avenue (the old main road, the A957). It is on the south side of the Carron, not far from the petrol station.
It was a national decision to pass responsibility from GP surgeries to such centres for vaccinations, apart from travel jags which can be provided I believe at community pharmacies.
Health and Social Care Partnerships are taking on this role of providing vaccinations in line with a GP Contract agreed by BMA Scotland on behalf of Scottish GPs. This change has been agreed to relieve pressure on GP practices.
Lastly, the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership decided to have six vaccination centres across the shire. Here is the list:
Peterhead Vaccination Centre Former Ravenscraig Ward at Ugie Hospital
Fraserburgh Vaccination Centre Lower Floor of the Dalrymple Hall
Macduff Vaccination Centre Former Macduff GP surgery
Huntly Vaccination Centre Gordonvilla at Jubilee Hospital
Inverurie Vaccination Centre Unit at Burghmuir Drive Ind Estate
Stonehaven Vaccination Centre Former Invercarron Resource Centre
Banchory Vaccination Centre Scolty Centre (former Learning Disability Day Centre).
I did ask the HSCP representative if Portlethen had been considered as an alternative. I was told yesterday that Invercarron was the only suitable venue that is available.
Well Gladys you are so correct, Why? Why?? Why?? Maybe the bus driver will know where it is , after a couple of changes??
I guess Portlethen is not on the up and up list again.
Soon be time for the extra extra jag if you qualify as well ??