Elderly patients left queuing around the block in freezing cold to receive Covid jabs at south London GP surgery
- Elderly patients left queuing outside in hats and scarves in the freezing cold
- Hundreds were waiting outside The Jenner Practice in Forest Hill, south London
- Maria Demetrious filmed the queue winding around several corners to the clinic
Elderly patients were left queuing outside in hats and scarves during freezing cold temperatures to receive their Covid-19 vaccination at a south London GP surgery.
Hundreds were seen queuing along the pavement for their jab at The Jenner Practice in Forest Hill, south London, on Friday which began vaccinations for those over 80.
Maria Demetrious filmed the queue winding around several corners leading to the clinic after dropping off her father, 85, and mother, 79, for his vaccine at the surgery.
Hundreds were seen queuing along the pavement for their jab at The Jenner Practice in Forest Hill, south London, on Friday
Her brother Paul Demetrious, who posted the video on Twitter, said: ‘My parents have been isolating since February 20. On arrival for dad’s Covid-19 vaccine time slot met this circus! They left without it!’
The 41-second clip, which has garnered 471,900 views, shows hundreds of elderly patients waiting with coats and face masks on for their appointment.
Speaking to LBC, Mr Demetrious said: ‘We shared this not as a witch hunt – although our mother was extremely upset – but for answers so that lessons can be learned to improve.’
The 41-second clip, which has garnered 471,900 views, shows hundreds of elderly patients waiting with coats and face masks
The footage shows some had even brought chairs to rest their feet while they waited and many appeared to be accompanied by carers or relatives for their appointment.
Ms Demetrious described how her parents left before her father received his vaccine and his GP is in the process of rearranging the appointment.
‘Their own GP has been in contact to make sure they are okay, and is arranging something else,’ Ms Demetrious said.
The footage shows some had even brought chairs to rest their feet while they waited and many appeared to be accompanied by carers or relatives for their appointment.
‘I must say he has been a rock throughout many years of knowing my parents, and this is no reflection on him or that practice.
‘I’m hopeful now they will be able to get the vaccine soon in a safe environment and not encounter the same as yesterday.’
Commenting on the video, Lewisham CCG said: ‘We’re sorry your parents faced this situation.
Paul Demetrious, who posted the video on Twitter, said: ‘My parents have been isolating since February 20. On arrival for dad’s Covid-19 vaccine time slot met this circus! They left without it!’
Commenting on the video, Lewisham CCG said: ‘We’re sorry your parents faced this situation’
‘This was the first vaccination day for the service, lessons have been learned.
‘Vaccinators doubled to reduce waiting time; patients asked to arrive five minutes before appointment.
‘These will ease queues and hopefully reassure your parents.’
The Care Quality Commission commented on the video: ‘Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The matter has been raised to the appropriate Inspector for review.’
Meanwhile Andrew Richards had an appointment for his mother at The Jenner Practice on Friday and was told it would be a three-hour wait in the cold for the jab.
He told London News Online: ‘There must have been between 300 and 400 people in the queue.
‘Some of them looked really fragile and frail, standing around with blankets around them.’
‘We had to go straight back home because my mum cannot stand for more than a few minutes.’