Update on Invitation Letters and Screening Communications

Public Health Scotland (PHS) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) recently identified a printing issue that temporarily delayed the mailing of invitation letters for childhood immunisation appointments (for children under 5 years) and some national screening programmes (Breast Screening, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening, and Cervical Screening).

The issue has now been resolved, and Public Health Scotland, NHS National Services Scotland and local Health Boards are working hard to catch up. To ensure patients receive their appointment details promptly, arrangements have been made to contact those affected and confirm upcoming appointments. Any appointments which are missed as a result of the issue will be rescheduled. 

Immunisation

Appointments scheduled during the weeks of 1 and 8 December may have been affected. NHS Boards are working with PHS and NSS to ensure those who are affected are contacted to advise them of the delay to receiving their invitation letters and to share details of forthcoming appointments and reschedule any missed appointments. If you are impacted, your local NHS Board vaccination service will be in touch. Contact details are available via Getting your vaccinations | NHS inform.

 Alternatively, you can phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 to rearrange your appointment. The helpline is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm on Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Screening

The issue has resulted in a short delay in the sending of invitation letters for appointments for Breast Screening and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening. NSS is working with NHS Boards and Breast Screening Centres to contact those whose appointments are affected to advise them of the delay and to share details of forthcoming appointments. Any appointments which are missed as a result of the issue will be rescheduled. Cervical screening appointments are unaffected by this issue.

If you are concerned that you have been affected and missed your appointment, your local programme will be in touch or you can contact them to rearrange.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening centres

Breast screening centres in Scotland

The issue also resulted in delays affecting screening results for Breast Screening, AAA Screening and Cervical Screening. All of the delayed letters have now been sent so please be assured that you will be receive your result very soon.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this issue.