ELDERLY patients have been battling to get through to the NHS as they try to track down a flu jab.

As appointment letters for the vaccination begin to trickle through to those in and around Glasgow, a number of pensioners have reported difficulty in reaching someone at the other end of the phone.

Each letter features a helpline, which has been described as “constantly busy”, and a “dead” landline which offers an automated reply redirecting callers to the initial helpline number.

Sean Clerkin, campaign co-ordinator for the Scottish Tenants Organisation, said: “I’ve had a number of people who are up in arms complaining about the flu jab.

“For most people it’s going to be three to five weeks before they can get the jab, and they’re saying that’s unacceptable, especially for those with underlying health conditions.

“What’s really frustrating is, when you call, you cannot get through.”

He added: “The 0800 number is constantly busy and the landline number you’re given is dead.

“It says the NHS no longer uses this number - so what do you do?

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Pensioners are attempting to get in touch for a myriad of reasons - from needing to reschedule an appointment to requesting a new one after a letter arrived too late for them to attend a vaccination session - and have described it as “incredibly frustrating”.

One patient, who asked not to be named, said: “I received a letter from NHS Scotland on Friday, October 16, advising me of an appointment for the flu jab on Thursday, October 15, at 4.55 pm - the day before.

“Since then I have called the number on the letter to arrange another appointment at least 200 times.

“The line has been constantly engaged.”

The frustrated man tried calling the 0800 number listed on the NHS Inform website and - after multiple attempts - did manage to get through to an operator.

However, he was advised the staff there cannot rearrange appointments and he must continue to try the number on the letter, leaving him “back at square one”.

READ MORE: Age Scotland backs flu jab crisis campaign after being inundated with calls

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) previously explained an increase in the uptake for the flu jab of almost 50% and a “significant extension” to the vaccine programme was causing phone lines to busier than normal.

The health board insist the timing of the flu season varies each year but usually commences later in December or in the New Year, followed by two to three months of flu transmission.

Although it takes around two weeks to make a response to the vaccine, it claims immunisation before the end of December should provide protection although the aim is to immunise as early as possible.

NHSGGC revealed over the weekend it was on track to ensure all vaccinations were completed by December.

She said: "We would like to apologise to members of the public who have struggled to get through to our flu vaccination appointments line. We have received a high volume of calls in recent weeks and the team is working hard to answer them all. We have employed a further 20 staff to help take calls and answer emails from members of the public and we hope this will enable us to respond more quickly.

"We would ask that if members of the public continue to have problems with the phone line, they email us at adult.flu@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and we will respond as quickly as possible.

"If individuals need to change the timing of their appointment, we will do everything possible to rearrange this for them. If there are accessibility issues with their assigned vaccination centre, we will work with each individual on a case by case basis to find the centre most suitable for them."

Meanwhile, NHS Lanarkshire has since been forced to apologise for those who wouldn’t get through as well as those who had received appointment letters days after the inoculation was supposed to take place.

Dr Mark Russell, associate medical director, said: “There have been a number of challenges with delivering this year’s flu programme and we are working to rectify these.

“This is a new way of working for everyone involved and we are learning and adapting our processes as we move forward.

“We are appealing for your patience and understanding and we would like to reassure everyone that staff are working hard to make sure everyone gets their vaccination as soon and as safely as possible.”