A SOCIAL care leader has criticised people for not showing up for their vaccinations in Cardiff and the Vale.

With a significant number of no-shows across Wales, and many vulnerable care home residents desperate to be vaccinated against coronavirus, the chief executive for Care Forum Wales has shared her concerns.

CEO Mary Wimbury said: “It’s very frustrating when you hear about missed appointments with people not turning up to be vaccinated at a time when staff and residents seriously want one.

“I understand a cancellation hotline is now being set up; hopefully this will lead to fewer unused appointments. I don’t think you can underestimate how desperate care home residents and staff are for this vaccination.

“We’ve seen vaccination of care home staff and residents really ramp up recently so I hope we can get there. We really need to get it done.

Ms Wimbury also shared her concerns about ‘red flag’ care homes where at least one positive test has been registered.

“I’m hearing that some homes are being told if they are ‘red’ none of their residents will be vaccinated,” added Ms Wimbury.

“Being designated as red may just mean you have a member of staff who tests positive on the UK portal routine testing.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that they are positive. We’re still seeing a lot of false positives.

“Vaccinations are being put off in those care homes when those residents need the vaccination as much as everyone else.

"If a care home has only one case of Covid-19 infection in a resident or staff member, other residents and care home staff should - according to Public Health Wales guidance - be offered vaccination as long as they have not been deemed close contacts of the case requiring self-isolation."