'Chaos' at Fakenham Medical Practice reportedly fuelled by lying patients leads to staff issuing public apology

A doctor's surgery has issued an apology after a day of 'chaos' which was reportedly fuelled by patients lying about appointment times.

Fakenham Medical Practice staff released a public letter on social media yesterday (Monday) following significant delays at its vaccination clinic on Saturday.

The Trinity Road practice said two issues which were outside of its control contributed to the issues.

Some patients are reported to have turned up for their appointments up to five hours early, and staff say they were unable to turn them away.

The letter, penned by nine doctors at the practice, said: "it is unfortunate to say, but even if the volunteers in the car park ask for appointments, patients lie to them."

It adds that this claim cannot be verified as it may cause 'even more disruption to the town with delays'.

Partners added that the second contributing factor arose after NHS England altered the system it uses to record vaccines, meaning Fakenham staff had 'double the workload to do resulting in longer times in the rooms'.

The letter said: "We have raised this issue with NHS England, as have many other vaccination centres and we have been informed that a change will be coming."

Practice staff have also pleaded with patients to stick to their appointment times in the future.

They added: "We cannot control patients coming at earlier times, but we can lengthen our appointment times and book fewer patients on a clinic day. Which is something we shall do for the next clinics to avoid this happening again.

"We still remain committed to vaccinating as many of our population as possible to prevent you having to travel elsewhere.

"But we ask that you do not take out your frustrations on staff and volunteers who have given up their Saturdays and evenings to undertake this task. It is not their fault."

Comments under the apology on Facebook are largely positive, with users thanking the practice for explaining the situation.