NHS FIFE chiefs have said sorry after thousands of patients were affected by issues in booking flu jabs.

Extra staff have been drafted in to tackle a massive backlog after they were unable to cope with contact from 75,000 over-65s who had all received letters on the same day telling them to book their vaccination.

The issue led to patients struggling to get through, being cut off, having to leave a message or being instructed to go to a non-local venue which, for some, would have meant two bus journeys.

Speaking at NHS Fife's Board meeting yesterday (Wednesday), chairperson Tricia Marwick, acknowledged they were still having difficulties.

"I am really sorry we have let people down – they deserve better," she said. "The flu immunisation programme is being delivered in a different way this year, mostly because of COVID and the need to make sure we can achieve social-distancing.

"When the letters to over-65s went out in one day, it became clear the health board had not prepared adequately for the sheer volume of calls. Very quickly, a backlog grew.

"The priority now is to get it sorted and to restore confidence. There is more than sufficient vaccines to go round. One more ask of those trying to get an appointment – please help us to help you. Give us a bit more time to deal with the backlog of calls, emails and texts before contacting us again. We will get to you. You will get an appointment as soon as possible.

"What we have experienced here is difficult but we will learn these lessons and if a COVID vaccine comes, we will be better prepared because we will be able to anticipate better the sheer demand for it."

NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter added that the number of call-handlers had now been increased in their efforts to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

"I would also acknowledge the difficulties that a number of people have experienced over the last week or so and we are very sorry for the anxiety," she said. "The people who have contacted us by sending a text or an email, we will get to these and we will respond. There is somewhere just over 2,000 unique phone calls that were logged.

"The team, the 46 call-handlers, over the coming days and weeks, will be systematically working their way through the backlog which is why we are encouraging people who have not yet been invited to come forward for an appointment not to contact us."

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley said he has written to the cabinet secretary for health, Jeanne Freeman, about the issue.

"The worry these people have been put through is absolutely appalling," he said. "One lady from Kelty was on the phone and offered Lochgelly or Kirkcaldy. These were both two bus trips for her.

"Where we have large populations – like in Kelty – with big communities, why on earth are all these people being told they should be using public transport to try and get themselves to towns and villages?

"NHS Fife need to get their act together. It is time we have some accountability."

Ms Potter confirmed they were looking into how they could improve their offer for people in places like Kelty.

She added: "We are already monitoring access to these clinics and looking at options to supplement that with pop-up venues. I am aware specific considerations need to be given to the population of Kelty where there are perhaps challenges with travel difficulties so we are looking at that in detail."