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Blood Tests

Story from nhs.uk

"Blood Tests"

About: Solihull Hospital

Unfortunately I have to attend almost every week for blood tests before having chemotherapy.

When I first had to have these done quite a few years ago the system was that you did not need to take a ticket and queue due to the risk of infection as most people on chemo will have a compromised immune system.

Then for some unknown reason the decision was made that chemo patients waited along with all and sundry sometimes up to and over an hour wait, with the obvious risk of infection which in some circumstances could result in that person getting an infection and unable to have treatment.

Three weeks ago it was changed back to the old system, posters were displayed advising of the new regime, do not take a ticket, let a member of staff know that you were on chemo and you would be seen quite promptly, thus avoiding hopefully the risk of infection.

Went today and low and behold the system has reverted to putting chemo patients at risk once again to infection.

Tried to find out from the wonderful phlebotomy staff what the reason was but they were unable to shed any light on this and were very annoyed with the situation.

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Responses

Response from Solihull Hospital 6 years ago
Solihull Hospital

Submitted on 06/12/2017 at 07:52
Published on nhs.uk on 07/12/2017 at 03:36

Dear Ms Lewis,

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments regarding your attendance to the Phlebotomy Department at Solihull Hospital.

I forwarded your posting to the Phlebotomy Services Supervisor, Karen Casey, who has advised me that, the Trust has not practised this protocol where by Chemotherapy patients did not have to take a ticket, since 2010.

This was as a result of the Phlebotomy Service being advised by the Oncology consultants, that it was not necessary to see their patients ahead of the queue.

At the end of September this year, Ms Casey was not on site for about a week.

During her absence, the old notices reappeared; however they were immediately removed upon her return.

Ms Casey has replaced the signs with an “out of sequence” notice PH.N002. This notice advises patients that the service see people out of sequence for whatever reason and they ask for patience and understanding.

Ms Casey has advised me that if you need to be seen and you are not able to wait in the hospital environment, please either ask to speak to a senior member of staff or request to speak to her directly and the staff will do their best to see you as soon as possible.

In light of the concerns you have raised the Group Support Manger for Phlebotomy will look again at the processes in place across all the Trusts phlebotomy services to see where improvements can be made.

Once again, thank you for your posting, as all feedback is important to us.

Kind regards

Andrew John

Patient Services Manager (PALS)

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