Options still being explored for Shrewsbury blood service

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) stopped the blood collection service in Princess House in April.

A report to SaTH's trust board, which met yesterday, said it could not afford the £32,000-a-year charge being introduced by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.

It was relocated to Elizabeth House based at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, which already provides walk-in phlebotomy clinics.

But SaTH launched an engagement process, asking whether people were happy with the move or whether they wanted it to return to a town centre premises.

The report said 34 per cent of patients wanted to see a return of the service to Princess House and 66 per cent wanted an alternative.

Further feedback showed 36 per cent wanted a town centre service, 25 per cent of patients wanted the service in their own GP practice and 39 per cent wanted it at Elizabeth House.

Riverside and Claremont Bank GP Practices cannot accommodate a phlebotomy clinic but Riverside practice will relocate to new premises next year.

Yesterday, the proposal put to the board was for SaTH to continue providing patients with access to the walk-in service at Elizabeth House as an interim measure until suitable space becomes available in either of the two town centre GP practices.

However, it was withdrawn for further work to be carried out and options will continue to be explored.

But Simon Wright, chief executive of SaTH, said a decision needed to be made in the near future.

He said: "I think we need to make a decision on a suitable location within the community within the next three months so we can close this issue down."

The town-centre location allowed phlebotomy services to be provided to about 300 patients a week.

That included morning appointments for Riverside and Claremont Bank GP Practices, as well as an afternoon walk-in service for all Shropshire GP patients.