"Covid and Flu Jab Appt."

My Covid & Flu Jab appt. was in the early afternoon at Falkirk Community Hosp. I had recently been discharged from Forth Valley Hosp after being rushed in from my Dr's Surgery for a Femoral Hernia Operation. I had an Appt. on the same day as the Flu Appt. in the morning with the Nurse from my GP Practice to get tests done (Blood taken etc.) as the Hospital had advised this on discharge.

So I went to my appt. with the Nurse at the GP Practise my 1st day out in over a week so was a bit unsteady on my feet.  But if I went back home after that Appt. I wouldn't have made my Covid/Flu Appt. in time so went straight to the Hosp. for that Appt. I knew I was early and didn't expect to jump the queue, but after waiting downstairs then heading to the reception desk upstairs I was told I had to wait until my given Appt time. This was still 1 hour and 25 mins away, so I was sent back downstairs to wait at the back of the queue again. This happened twice and when I went upstairs for the 3rd. time I was told to once again wait in the queue downstairs.

I showed them my Appt. Card I had with my GP Practise Nurse and explained I would have missed my Covid Appt. had I gone home and back again. I also explained I had recently had an Operation and was on strong painkillers... all to no avail. Surely at some point they could have fitted me in during that 1 hour 25 mins even if it was not immediately. But no---I was told to go back downstairs and wait at the back of the queue again.

By this time I had been on my feet for over 4 hours after having blood taken and other tests, then walking from one Surgery Appt. to another. I said I couldn't manage downstairs again and would just stand upstairs until I was called as it would have meant me not getting the Jabs if I had just gone home. In hindsight I wish I had done that. By this time I was nearly passing out with exhaustion and pain from the operation wound. But still they made me wait before I could join the crowd heading to the area for the Jabs. Which was another 10 minutes of standing...by this time I was leaning on a wall for support. And after that 1 hour 25 min. wait I was now later than my original appointment time due to having to wait in the next queue.

I then walked home and lost my balance on the way which resulted in a fall which disturbed the Operation wound. I was also sick and haven't felt right since. At the Age of 70 and on my own I was quite shocked at the attitude of the staff here. Although they did end up getting me a chair to sit on and asking if I wanted a cup of water while waiting until my Appt. time. I understand how hard working those Staff are and there are Rules to be followed...But whatever happened to Common Sense and a bit of Compassion...which I have to admit I have received from everyone else since my Operation and aftercare.

I am not a regular user of the NHS or it's resources but didn't expect to be treated like that when I did use the Service. I felt degraded and humiliated---as if I just didn't matter and was a burden. I can only hope I'm not around to experience anything like that again next year and if I am I will just do without taking the Covid/Flu Jab. As I said I didn't expect to immediately jump the queue that day, but to keep me waiting for 1 hour and 25mins after I explained the circumstances in my opinion was just cruel and has caused my health -- which I had been recovering well from recent problems -- to deteriorate once again, which will quite possibly will cost the NHS more in the long run.