Blood test service to adopt new appointment system

Angela Huzulak
June 17, 2021

The appointment system for blood services at Goole and District Hospital will be introduced in June in a bid to minimise wait times and improve social distancing.

North Lincolnshire and Goole (NLaG) NHS Trust Foundation confirmed that from Monday, June 14, patients who would normally be referred to the hospital’s phlebotomy service will instead have the sample drawn at their GP practice, unless otherwise stated by their GP. In some cases, people will still be referred to the hospital if the GP finds they require the hospital service or if they are an outpatient who has been receiving ongoing treatment at the hospital and wishes to book an appointment or attend as a ‘walk-in’. Kimberley Garnett, transfusion manager and phlebotomy manager for Path Links, said: “Many of our patients needing a blood sample taking are suitable to have this carried out at their GP surgery.

For those who need hospital phlebotomy services, this new system will minimise waiting times, allow for social distancing and make sure the outpatient service runs as efficiently as possible. “Inevitably there will be some patients who have already been directed to visit us without making an appointment. Our team will try to accommodate walk-ins where possible while patients get used to the new appointment system. However, if our waiting area becomes too busy, we may need to turn people away and offer them an appointment on another day.” Similar systems have been introduced at Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby over the last year. For the phlebotomy service’s opening hours, visit www.nlg.nhs.uk/services/pathology/.

Pphlebotomy services at Goole and District Hospital will change. (17-10-74 GT/PW).

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