Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject: Blood Test Clinic
Is there anywhere in the area to get a NHS blood test done without waiting for up to 2 hours ??.
I have a friend who is Agrophobic (hates crowds ect) she has a Cholesterol count of above 7 and has to have regular blood tests. She is so worried I have offered to take her to have it done. Tried yesterday ,paid £1.50 for car park (after waiting and driving round for ages trying to get a space) got to Blood Clinic and i have not seen queues like it since Harrods January Sale .We asked some of the people in the queue if it was a long wait and some of them had been waiting for over an hour.So had to give up and take her home.We were told to go down later on in the day .On the back of the form it says opening times are 8.30-13.45. I have tried to ring clinic but just get a recorded message.
So ,today tried again arriving at 13.20.Again paid for car park (we would have been there 15 mins earlier had we found a space to park).Went in to find they had shut early due to 'High Volume'.
Not sure what to do .I havent got hours to take her back again and quite honestly I wondered if this was normal and if it is ,how many other people are not bothering to go for blood tests.
Whats Harwich like Amenity ? I am sure it would be quicker for me to take her there .Unfortunately I have not got a lot of Free Time and am now wondering what to do.
Lin,
have you got a local health centre that does blood tests.
For all its faults, our Green Elms does do blood tests for us.
perhaps try phoning the doctors or NHS helpline with your problem.
Lin, your friend's surgery must have some sort of plan for patients who cannot get to the clinic. I would have thought that being agoraphobic is just as bad as being housebound.
Surely housebound patients have their blood taken by the district nurse so why can't your friend.
Seems to me that the problem has arisen at her surgery by them assuming she is fit/well enough to go to the clinic?
As for the clinic shutting early 'due to high volume' - isn't that a bit of an oxymoron???
The fact the this clinic is extremely well attended and they have recently increased the hours due to demand, tells something? Oh for the days when you went to your GP and if necessary, you could have blood taken there and then.
Thanks for the replies. I did try her doctors but they don't do blood tests .No clinic that I can find either ,so it looks like we will have to try again ,when I get a day off next week.
Don't get me wrong ,I certainly don't blame the staff as they are wonderful .It's the Health Authority who I blame.We have been promised better facilities for a long while and they must be aware of the problems at the clinic .
I just feel so sorry for all those waiting.We are told only fasting and workers to attend before 9.30 .Unfortunately ,others are queueing by 8am .I saw elderly people standing outside as they couldn't 'take' the cramped conditions inside.Last time I took my friend(about 6 monthsago) ,it was packed to the rafters and my friend opted to wait outside ,where she was 'told off' by the secretary as it looked bad if there were queues outside !!.Tried explaining it to her ,to no avail.
I just wish the powers that be would sort this out ,it is beginning to look like a 3rd World Country down there.
Oh well ,will try again next week if she feels up to it.
Cheers for advice.
Lin,
have you got a local health centre that does blood tests.
For all its faults, our Green Elms does do blood tests for us.
perhaps try phoning the doctors or NHS helpline with your problem.
its all i can think of.
Ok leafy lady.
I must add about my blood test @ green elms, i had to wait a week,
(no not outside)
but for an appointment with the nurse @ 10am one day this week.
so its turn up, look for your name being flashed on the sign, go in, done and out.
The bad side was last week only 2 doctors in residence for the whole health centre..
I have been campaigning for over 2 years for better facilities for blood testing and dialysis and I am told that the planned new facilities at Kennedy House will improve things. It would help if the phlebotomists started their shifts at 7am each weekday instead of 8.30am thus enabling those who have to fast to get back home for a cup of tea and breakfast at a decent time.
Very good comments mynahbird,
My mrs used to start at her day unit at 7am or before sometimes to get the sterilising machines up and running, and was still there at 7 pm if it was a busy day, as most days were.
A Big pat on the back Mynabird for your efforts in improving this system. The clinic is out dated and not up to scratch.
I myself had to have a blood test in January and waited outside (not being funny ,I didn't want to sit two to a chair and end up with assorted cough colds and flu) There were at least two dozen elderly folk also outside who were turning blue at the edges and looked like they needed to sit down.
Good job it is moving to Kennedy Way ( gosh ,only a two minute walk for me so saves on parking costs).Now I can forget the benches I was thinking of bequeathing to Clacton Hospital soley for the use of people standing outside.
Anyone know when the move is taking place ???.
blood clinic is in the main building now, been in there a few times the past couple of weeks as the boyfriend has been severely anemic. Not much waiting on our behalf either!
It should be noted that the lady nurse that undertakes the task of taking blood samples at Harwich can only be complimented, she starts early is amazingly quick, extremely nice to her patients, what a topper.
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