Issue - meetings

Report and presentation attached.

Officers accepted that blood testing services were not currently right in the BHR area but there was a commitment to work across the CCGs, BHRUT and NELFT to improve phlebotomy. Blood testing was commissioned by the CCGs and provided by BHRUT and NELFT from approximately 40 locations across BHR.

Blood testing services had been stopped in some Havering practices due a lack of reception cover although these had now been restarted. Officers wished to reduce waiting times and have equal provision for phlebotomy across BHR but it was difficult to offer further blood testing in GPs as most singled handed practices did not have sufficient space.

It was therefore being considered how services could be offered from fewer sites but for longer hours. More pre-booked appointments could be made available which would reduce waiting times and it may also be possible to offer appointments booked on-line. Scoping of this work was expected to be completed by December 2018 with engagement with local stakeholders commencing in February 2018 which would help to decide if formal consultation was needed. It was provisionally planned to launch the new service in spring 2019.

Another option could be a mobile blood testing facility that could be sited in e.g. supermarket car parks. Phlebotomy apprenticeships had commenced and bar codes had been introduced in order to speed up the blood testing process.

Members remained concerned that clinics had been without sufficient communication and that the South Hornchurch clinic had not in fact reopened. Officers responded that it was important to look at how demand was managed as there were often around 100 patients awaiting blood tests at Queen’s Hospital at 7 am. The provider Trust had not been given any notice that there would not be a receptionist on site at the Rainham clinic. Staff did attend at the site but it had been unsafe for phlebotomy services without reception cover.

The GP practice at South Hornchurch had asked BHRIT to buy a new specialist phlebotomy Chair and also wished to charge rent. Officers would check with the GP practice re the latest position with reinstating phlebotomy services at the site.

A phlebotomy clinic aimed to see 12 patients per hour but would see as many as possible during opening hours, with no upper limit set. Phlebotomists were sometimes working at different hours to allow a staggered opening tome for the service.

It was emphasised that the aim was for services to be available in the community and that phlebotomy would not be centralised at Queen’s Hospital. Waiting times for blood tests at Queen’s had now reduced from two hours to one hour and work was planned to improve the environment forchildren’s blood tests at the hospital. A list of all blood test providers would be available by the end of December and this could be provided to the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee noted the position and requested that officers provide the further information as detailed in the minutes.