DOCTORS at Holmes Chapel Health Centre were ‘overwhelmed’ by the turnout for the first of the centre’s two Saturday morning flu clinics.

The centre stayed open for an hour longer than planned to cope with the numbers, with more than 1,200 patients being vaccinated.

Senior partner Dr Stephen Tate said: “We were overwhelmed by the turnout, which swamped the doctors and nurses, whose numbers this year were somewhat depleted, ironically due largely to sickness.

“This resulted in long queues, at one point snaking across to the precinct.

“We apologise for the long wait, and thank everyone for their patience.

“We remained open for an extra hour to accommodate the extra turnout, and vaccinated 1,218 patients, 10 per cent of all our patients in just four and a half hours.

“Our next flu clinic is on Saturday, November 10, from 8.30am to 11.30am.

“We have already taken steps to ensure this runs more smoothly, keeping the wait for everyone to a minimum - so please don’t be put off by the length of the queue on Saturday.

“Unlike many practices we have been able to secure enough of all flu vaccines, including the FluAd vaccine for patients aged 65 and over.

“Unfortunately this vaccine requires the needle to be fitted to the syringe, thus slowing the vaccination process. By the end of the morning we had become quicker through practice.

“We would like to offer a very big thank to members of our Patient Panel, who gave up their Saturday morning to run the flu clinic alongside health centre staff.

“They provide valuable support to the vaccinating team and help us fast track frail and disabled patients to minimise their wait.

“We ordered more flu vaccinations than ever this year, but please remember ‘when they are gone, they’re gone’, so please don’t delay this year. We hope to have completed this year’s flu campaign by the end of November.

“Flu vaccinations are free to anyone aged 65 or over, plus anyone under the age of 65 if they are in one of the at-risk groups. Flu vaccinations are available for patients who are not eligible for a free NHS flu jab for £10 at the practice.”

Retired journalist John Williams said: “It became almost a social occasion, with many people meeting old friends they hadn't seen since they had their jab last year and recalling queues for food during the last war.

“I thought I would come early this year to avoid the rush but was astonished to find scores in front of me.

“Everyone was very orderly and good-humoured and doctors seemed unfazed by the rush. Some of the really elderly said they had seen it all before when they queued for things like food in wartime.”