Community Phlebotomy Service
Phlebotomy is the process of taking blood to be sent to hospital for testing. Blood tests can help obtain a diagnosis for certain illnesses – or rule them out, monitor treatment and help patients and GPs manage long term health conditions.
Historically, if patients needed a blood test they had to have their bloods taken by arranging an appointment for a GP or Practice Nurse in routine GP hours from 8am to 6.30pm. For many patients this was inconvenient due to working hours, or other commitments.
Now however, we have funded the East Lancashire Union of GP Federated Practices, to deliver phlebotomy services from locations in each of the five boroughs of East Lancashire between 6pm to 8pm on a weekly rota. The service will be an appointment based service and will complement the proposals to extend access to GPs from 8am to 8pm across East Lancashire.
Across the country GP services are experiencing an exceptionally high level of demand as the first point of contact for the NHS from patients. The East Lancashire Union of GPs is a GP Federation which is owned by 37 of the 57 local GP practices in East Lancashire, and was established to support GP practices to be sustainable and resilient, and to develop and transform local services for local people.
Carole Martin, Operational Director of the East Lancashire Union of GPs said: “As a Federation of GP practices, we know that by working together we can not only strengthen GP services but more importantly provide more services close to peoples’ homes, tailored to help people achieve a healthier, happier life. We hope that by extending the availability of GP based Phlebotomy services this will make life easier for patients who need them”
Mark Youlton, Chief Officer, NHS East Lancashire said: “Our vision is to increase the range and quality of services in the community. We have invested in this development and hope to see not only greater convenience for patients, but reduced waiting times at GP surgeries and less pressure on our already highly pressurised hospital services. This is an important first step towards the implementation of that vision”.
The community phlebotomy clinics will be held once a week in each locality between 6pm and 8pm and will be based in different host practices according to a rota. Patients can be booked directly into the clinics by their own practice staff as long as their own practice is offering the service, and the list below details which practices are currently taking part:
Rossendale
St James Medical Practice
Irwell
Whitworth
Dr McKenzie & partners
Ilex View
Waterfoot
Drs Moujaes & Mannan
Rossendale Valley
Fairmore
Burnley
St Nicholas Group Practice
Manchester Road Surgery
Parkside
Briercliffe
Thursby
Oxford Road Medical Centre
Dr Kallarackel & partners- Kiddrow Lane
Burnley Wood
Rosegrove
Rosehill
Colne Road
Ightenhill
Riverside
Hyndburn
Cabin Surgery
Dr Kapenda
Dr Valluri
Great Harwood Medical Group
The Royle
Dr Hewitt & partners
Oswald Medical Centre
Myrtle House
Blackburn Road Medical Practice
Peel House
Higher Heys
Richmond Medical
Dr Bello
Dill Hall Surgery
King St Medical Centre
AVH Surgery
Pendle
Reedyford
Pendle View
Dr Jehangir
Dr Umar
Whitefield
Ribble Valley
Pendleside
Castle
Sabden & Whalley