Where are the available slots for blood testing in Barking and Dagenham?

The way blood testing services can be accessed changed during the COVID-19 epidemic and since then there are no walk-in services available for Barking and Dagenham, Havering or Redbridge patients – all blood test appointments must be booked in advance. There aren't many long queues at the blood testing clinics, which appears to be a result of the new method of having a blood test. However, when we are out and about in the community, people tell us that there are flaws in the process, such as there aren`t slots available when people access the link to book their blood test. This issue repeats when they keep accessing the link multiple times. When they were unable to schedule a blood test, which in certain situations was urgently needed, residents expressed their dissatisfaction.

A new appointment-only service provision is not meeting the needs of residents. Healthwatch officers quite frequently hear that residents are not aware of the telephone number they can call in case they cannot find a blood testing slot online. Therefore, quite a few residents were provided with a contact number to get their blood testing appointment arranged should they not be able to find a slot online.

To support local residents we have compiled the following information that you might find useful if you have difficulty locating an available blood testing slot:

• You can contact an administrative team on the following telephone numbers, Monday to Friday 8 am – 3.45 pm: 0300 300 1704, 0300 555 1045.
• NELFT blood testing website states they are bringing in urgent blood testing for patients who meet the relevant `referral criteria` and are encouraging residents to discuss with their GP if they think their blood test may be urgent as they may be able to refer them urgently.
• If an appropriate appointment does not appear, you might want to check again later for any changes in availability. It is strongly advised that you check the availability at each facility before scheduling your blood test.
• Barking & Dagenham residents with learning disabilities 12 years of age and older now have access to specialised phlebotomy (blood testing) service: Tel: 0300 300 1531, Email: LDbookabloodtest@nelft.nhs.uk
• The home visiting service is available to housebound patients Monday to Friday 8 am - 4 pm. Please call their administrative team on 0300 300 1704 or 0300 555 1045, or email at: bddomphleb@nelft.nhs.uk who will forward your query to the domiciliary team. Please ensure your GP has referred you before contacting this team.

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham want your feedback on health and care services in the Borough. Please get in touch to tell us about your experience, so that we can challenge the service providers and make sure your voice is heard when it comes to health and social care:

0800 298 5331 or email us at info@healthwatchbarkinganddagenham.co.uk