"Blood test appointments"

Anything else?

When I wanted a blood test a year ago, I simply had to call Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Hospital Reception (the number given on the website at that time) and book an appointment - very convenient for me.

Now it seems that the Appointment system has been outsourced (maybe the whole blood testing service?) - and what a mess:

1. There is now no telephone number on the Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Hospital website (http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=300) for the hospital Reception.

2. But there is a link to Haematology which gives telephone number 0753 633000 - call this and you find they don't make appointments, but transfer you to another number. This turns out to be Wexham Park Hospital - they don't make appointments eIther, apparently blood testing is a walk-in service and not exactly convenient if one lives in the Chalfonts.

3. Googling will reveal the real telephone number for Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross Hospital Reception. Now you will learn that they don't make their own blood test appointments any more, it's necessary to call a High Wycombe number 01494 555233 for appointments - but that office works only in the mornings!

That's not an improvement in service.

PS I still have to contact them for an appointment.

PPS Why doesn't the website also say that there's a walk-in blood testing service at Amersham? - much closer than Wexham Park.