"Horrific bruising after a blood test"

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to learn that your experience was not as positive as we would hope on your attendance at Altrincham Hospital Phlebotomy Department. It is important to us that comments are shared with staff and seen as an opportunity to make changes and improvements wherever possible to services at the hospital.

Ms Sara Doherty, Ward Manager, Medical Day Unit, Anticoagulation and Phlebotomy explains that bruising can occur due to the nature of the procedure and reactions occur on an individual basis dependent upon many contributing factors which may lead to a person experiencing bruising who has never bruised previously. Ms Doherty has discussed your experience with the phlebotomy staff and reiterated the need to be more understanding of how a patient is feeling when they are having their bloods taken, offer an explanation of what to expect regarding bruising and discomfort, especially if the extraction has been particularly difficult.

If you would like to discuss your concerns with us in more detail, please feel free to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0161 276 8686 or by emailing pals@mft.nhs.uk, quoting reference number PO19/0123.