Phlebotomy services in Brent

Healthwatch Brent looked into the local phlebotomy services and patient experience in July 2016. Interviews and surveys were used to engaged with patients who had a blood test in the previous 6 months either in a GP or hospital service. The team spoke with 70 patients and 10 health professionals from primary and acute care settings.

Most patients were satisfied with the phlebotomy service at both the GP practices and hospital settings. Some key areas of concern were raised in the report. Patients would like their test results returned sooner, particularly from the GP service. Some patients believed that the service available at hospitals were more holistic and the GP services were less-resourced. The findings show that booking appointments over the phone tended to take longer than at GP receptions.

The report made recommendations to commissioners, acute providers and primary care providers, and for individuals and communities. These included the commissioning of voluntary schemes to explore the incidence of social isolation among patients who visit health services frequently. For providers to explore waiting times and the referral service, to promote the option of attending alternative GP practices for blood tests to patients, particularly when their preferred practice has a long waiting time, and to inform patients as to when test results will be made available.

The report did not include a response from the provider.