HW100: The Phlebruary report
About this report
Following concerns raised with us numerous times in the last two years, Healthwatch Trafford collected the experiences of well over 300 people using phlebotomy services in Trafford.
Across the month of February, we held ‘Phlebruary’ – a project where we promoted the chance for people to have their say about blood testing services in Trafford.
We undertook a Trafford Healthwatch 100* online survey, which was promoted on social media using the hashtag #phlebruary, as well as by email to our existing Healthwatch 100 members. We then visited seven of the eight blood clinic locations, where we met people attending these clinics on a one to one basis and asked them to complete our survey.
In total, we held 10 sessions at nine venues and collected 327 completed surveys. This provided us with a large amount of information about the views and experiences of people using the phlebotomy service.
Findings
- 67% of respondents would rather book an appointment for a blood test than turn up on the day and wait. The current system of drop-in sessions has no provision at all across the borough to book a specific time for a blood test, which many find a barrier.
- A third of people complained about waiting times. More than a third of people had to wait longer than an hour for a blood test, with one in 25 waiting for more than three hours. The drop-in sessions, particularly at hospitals, led to long waiting times. Comments often cited staff shortages and five people that responded said that they were not able to be seen on the day.
- Information about where you can access a phlebotomy clinic varies considerably across Trafford. 37% of people were not given options of where they were able to go for a blood test. We were able to obtain some of the handouts that were given to patients and the quality and accuracy of the information provided ranged from comprehensive to incorrect and limited.
- More than three out of every four respondents were unable to access blood tests at their own GP practice. Expense, accessibility for those with mobility problems and the additional time it takes were all raised as problems with having to travel for a blood test. Interestingly, 70% of people from outside of Trafford were able to access blood tests at their own GP practice.
- There are no blood clinics in Trafford that take blood outside of working hours. Comments we received included those who feel it is unreasonable to take two-three hours out of a working day to get a blood test.
Recommendations
Recommendation: Offer the ability to book specific times for appointments
- A large majority of people want to be able to book specific times to have their blood test. There is also a clear desire amongst a significant minority to have some drop-ins, so a balance of both systems is required.
Recommendation: Improve and standardise the information given out to people about where they are able to go for a blood test
- There are GPs that appear not to be giving people options, causing variation of information available across the borough. This could be easily standardised and provided to all Trafford patients. This could include information about availability of home visits for blood tests and eligibility criteria.
Recommendation: Make blood testing available outside of working hours
- The fact that blood tests are only available to people during standard business hours can cause problems for those that are employed as well as their employers resulting in financial loss for both parties. There should, therefore, be some provision for early evening/weekend tests.
Recommendation: Increase capacity/staffing levels at Trafford General and Altrincham hospitals to match appointment or ad hoc clinics and be prepared for staff absences
- Waiting times are the most common complaint, with more than 100 people complaining about them. Some people have either not gone for tests at all because they are put off going, or are unable to wait because of staff shortages. As a consequence, there could be people whose health may suffer and it is also a waste of precious NHS resources. For improved patient safety and experience, capacity needs to be better matched to demand.
Recommendation: . Increase the number of GPs offering blood testing
- Many commented that they would much rather be able to get a blood test at their own GP practice and dislike the inconvenience and expense incurred in having to travel elsewhere for a blood test.
Recommendation: Improved communication of waiting times
- Giving people information on how long they are going to have to wait for their test allows them to prepare themselves and ensure they are able to eat and drink (particularly important for people who have been told to fast), inform employers, friends, family or organise transport.
