POLICE have said a “bogus” nurse reported to have visited an elderly person’s home in Dumfries last month offering covid jabs was legitimate.
Officers received a report on January 22 that a woman claiming to be a qualified NHS nurse offering Covid-19 vaccinations attempted to gain access to an address in Penman Gardens, Heathhall.
They subsequently urged locals to be vigilant and appealed for information.
However, in a statement released last weekend, Inspector Hugh McCombe from Dumfries and Galloway Police Division revealed that the the report was a “false alarm”, and the caregiver in question was genuine.
He added it was “encouraging to know the community is aware of scams and remaining vigilant”.
“Scams can be circulated via text messages, phone calls and emails, as well as in person through cold callers presenting at people’s homes,” he said. “Please contact your local GP practice if unsure, as the NHS advises, and report suspicious activity to police if you’re concerned as we will look into this.”
Meanwhile, an NHS spokesman said: “We are pleased that there was an innocent explanation for this situation – but the lady involved was quite right to raise her concerns.
“We are aware that nationally there are people who will seek to use the activity around Covid-19 vaccinations to try to take advantage of others.
“We would repeat our advice that anyone set to be in receipt of a Covid-19 vaccination will be contacted either by a letter, a phone call from their GP practice or by the local community nursing team.
“It was a member of the nursing team who phoned the lady on the morning of the day in question, and we apologise for any resulting confusion.
“If anyone is in any doubt about an approach to receive a vaccination in their home, they should contact their GP practice – and we will be advising practices to share these concerns with the community nursing teams who are delivering vaccinations and will be in a position to advise.”
