From Friday 11th June, all GP requests for bloods, including urgent requests (as well as for possible 2ww referrals), require the patient to use the bookable service as ENHT are no longer offering a walk-in service for GP requests.
The system is reviewed daily to check capacity and there should be availability at least at one of the sites within the next 48 hours. If a GP has clinical concerns but the patient does not need to go immediately to ED or if it is felt that the patient should have bloods taken on the same day, please add to the clinical details section on the ICE request “urgent bloods required within 24hrs ” and do not just tick the urgent box. Please note that if the request does not have this wording, then the patient will still be offered an appointment within 48hrs at one of the acute sites, but it may not be on the same day.
Please ask the patient to call the booking line and the staff at ENHT will arrange for them to be seen. They will be able to see the ICE request and accommodate the patient. This will ensure that urgent bloods are undertaken and that the service can continue to operate in a COVID safe way.
The phone number is now operational 9-5pm Monday to Friday – 01438 284044.
Both the CCG and ENHT will continue to monitor the service and the booking system and have planned a review in 2 weeks’ time. If you still have concerns please continue to flag these via the GP contracts hotline.