AN explanation has been provided as to why there is a “weird vaccination divide” in Mossley.
Puzzled resident Philip Hirst claimed people using medical practices in Top and Bottom Mossley are being treated differently.
Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group explained it is because the Pennine Medical Centre, Bottom Mossley, is not under its jurisdiction as it began as a medical practice in Greenfield which expanded into Mossley so historically has always been under the umbrella of the neighbouring Oldham CCG.
Philip had been made aware of the issues with the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the town.
He explained: “People registered at the Pike Practice in Top Mossley are part of a smooth-running operation with vaccinations being done at the George Lawton Hall.
“People registered at the Bottom Mossley practice, which is linked to the Greenfield practice, seems to be regarded as being in Oldham and are being sent all over the place, even though there is clearly spare capacity at the GLH where sometimes it’s busy, sometimes it’s empty!
“What is the reason for this strange divide?”
Philip added he was curious and did not want to appear critical.
“I don’t want to rubbish the operation because overall Tameside is doing very well,” he said.
A Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) spokesperson said: “The Covid vaccination programme is being delivered by general practice through Primary Care Networks (PCN) through an enhanced service to general practice contracts.
“While the majority of residents registered with a practice in Tameside and Glossop are part of the NHS Tameside and Glossop CCG/PCN vaccine programme – Pennine Medical Centre, which has buildings in Mossley and Greenfield, is an Oldham CCG practice and forms part of Oldham East PCN.
“This means that any Tameside residents that are registered with Pennine Medical Practice will be invited as part of the Oldham vaccine programme to their identified site. Oldham CCG and the Oldham East PCN will be able to advise further on the decision-making process regarding sites.
“Unfortunately, though It may appear logical for Mossley residents, who are patients of Pennine Medical Practice, to attend the George Lawton Hall vaccine site, it is not something which is currently an option due to Primary Care Networks not having access to patient data and records outside of their local network practices.”