Leeds surgery in jabs blunder

Hundreds of people's health could be at risk after a GP practice in Leeds failed to store vaccines correctly for some 18 months.
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Patients of Dr S Laybourn and Partners, which oversees surgeries on York Road and Rookwood Avenue have received a letter stating that jabs “may not have been stored at the correct temperature” between January 1, 2015 and July 14, 2016. This means that the 480 children and 126 adults who received vaccinations during this time could remain unprotected from serious diseases.

The problem was identified during a routine inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

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Now the practice is in the process of contacting all patients to encourage them to return for re-vaccination.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “I was very concerned when I received the letter on Friday because it meant my seven-month-year-old son could potentially not

be protected from serious illness.

“I’m pretty disgusted because at the end of the day they are meant to be healthcare professionals.

“I understand it’s just human error but it involves children and puts them at risk. I’ve spoken to others who use the surgery and they’re upset. I think they have had a big influx of angry parents calling them up.”

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Dr S Laybourn and partners announced that it will be holding dedicated baby immunisation clinics at its York Road surgery in December and its Rookwood Avenue site in January. A spokesman confirmed re-vaccination is safe, even if the patient has received the vaccine before.

The practice added: “Once the issue was identified we took all necessary steps to address it.

“We want to ensure that this type of error does not happen again in the future.”

Leeds South and East CCG said it supported the practice to investigate the problem and implement an action plan to resolve it.

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