A free shuttle bus has been set up to take those eligible for their coronavirus jag to the supercentre site at Ravenscraig.
NHS Lanarkshire insists travelling to a supercentre would speed the vaccination programme up by two months but some locals had voiced concern regarding the poor transport links to the centre.
On Friday, Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor Kenneth Duffy shared a note of the details on his Facebook page.
He posted: “Free bus to Ravenscraig vaccine centre. From Motherwell Train Station, starts today.
“United Bus Company. Every 30 minutes from 07.30 to 20.30.”
Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: “The Ravenscraig supercentre is a hugely important part of the vaccine rollout.
“However, I had raised concerns with the health board some weeks back regarding transport links to Ravenscraig.
“NHS Lanarkshire have assured me they are putting in place additional support for those who may find it difficult to attend the site.
“The health board is working with transport operators on additional services to Ravenscraig.
“Anyone with transport concerns should contact the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.
“Local community groups may be available to help.
“Traveline Scotland also has a dedicated number for vaccination transport enquiries on 0141 465 1878.”
“Anyone who can attend the Ravenscraig site is encouraged to do so to free up local centres for people who may struggle to travel.”
The health board are working with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to put in place direct shuttle bus services and to amend existing bus routes to visit the supercentre.
An NHS Lanarkshire spokesperson said: “The move to two new supercentres will allow us to protect our communities as quickly as possible and support the wider NHS to keep other services running.
“More people being vaccinated quicker is an important step in our route out of the pandemic and could help move Lanarkshire from level four restrictions faster.
“It will not be possible to do this without maximising the use of our supercentres, so we’re asking people who can attend their appointment in a supercentre to please do so.
“We are also working with organisations to provide a number of mobile units to help serve our more rural populations and for those who are unable to travel to either a supercentre or local centre and a housebound vaccination team has been created to provide vaccinations for those who cannot leave their home.
“There is also the option to book transport with Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire and Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire who provide volunteer transport.
“This can be accessed by calling the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.
“People can change their appointment if they need to by following the instructions on their appointment letters.
“By concentrating our efforts on two large sites we can ensure that our programme runs as efficiently and effectively as possible.
“It will also help keep our staffing levels safe and more stable and
keep our vaccine wastage to a minimum.”
Since the start of the vaccination programme, 229,213 people in Lanarkshire have already received their first dose of the vaccine.
The health board now have two supercentres, seven local centres and mobile units as vaccination clinics.
Dr Mark Russell, Lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, said: “Our updated plans will help us protect our communities as quickly as possible and support the wider NHS to keep other services running.
“More people being vaccinated quicker is the simplest and most important step we can take to help life get back to normal, faster.
“It would not be possible to do this without maximising our supercentres, so we’re asking for your help.
“If you can attend your appointment in a supercentre, please do so.
“This leaves the local centres for those who absolutely need it.
“Attending your vaccination appointment is the most important journey you’ll make this year.
“This is why we are asking our local communities to make an extra effort to attend for their vaccination as soon as they are invited.
“Our plans will remain flexible and we can adapt them to meet the needs of the service.”
SPT has also set up a dedicated enquiry line for public transport to vaccination clinics.
This is the first point of contact for all public transport enquiries.
Call 0141 465 1878 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Alternatively visit www.travelinescotland.com/lts/#/travelInfo
