UPDATED May be a problem having blood tests - blood test vial shortage?

[AJLang]

I’ve just phoned the GP surgery to ask for them if they can arrange for me to have my six monthly diabetic blood tests put on the system so that I can have them done at the blood taking unit at the hospital. I’ve been doing this for years, whoever takes the call at the surgery puts it straight onto the system and they get approved by the GP.
Not today. She said that just today they’ve been told that there is a world wide shortage of blood taking containers and the GP has to be asked if it is possible for me to have the tests done and they haven’t been automatically put on the system.
surely @Josh DUK there is not a risk of our review blood tests being
rationed?
I’ve just found a link to this article https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/c...nd-some-blood-tests-as-tube-shortage-worsens/

 

[Pumper_Sue]

NHS Supply Chain said it expected to see ‘some improvement’ in availability from next month.

Waiting a month for diabetes routine checks is hardly a problem I would have thought.
You have a Libre so know roughly what your A1c is anyway so can't see a problem myself.

Obviously if you have major health issues then the tests will be done as normal so panic not.

 

[AJLang]

UPDATE GP has approved my tests being done

 

[AJLang]

Waiting a month for diabetes routine checks is hardly a problem I would have thought.
You have a Libre so know roughly what your A1c is anyway so can't see a problem myself.

Obviously if you have major health issues then the tests will be done as normal so panic not.

Thanks Sue. In recent times they’ve been checking a range of things for me each six months, fortunately this has now been approved for this time
i also posted it so that others are forewarned of potential problems.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Glad you can get your tests OK @AJLang.

I’ve pretty much not had any blood tests since before March 2020

 

[AJLang]

Thank you Mike

 

[grovesy]

I think the problem with blood bottles has been rumbling on for a little while now.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I think the problem with blood bottles has been rumbling on for a little while now.

Me thinks I must remind GP of this when he wants 6 vials from me again 😱

 

[AJLang]

Me thinks I must remind GP of this when he wants 6 vials from me again 😱

Lol

 

[AJLang]

I think the problem with blood bottles has been rumbling on for a little while now.

@grovesy from what I’ve been reading it appears that it has got a lot worse during the last few days

 

[grovesy]

@grovesy from what I’ve been reading it appears that it has got a lot worse during the last few days

Yeah, I thought I heard mentioned on one of the news channels in the last week. The bottles have expire dates too!.

 

[Josh DUK]

I’ve just phoned the GP surgery to ask for them if they can arrange for me to have my six monthly diabetic blood tests put on the system so that I can have them done at the blood taking unit at the hospital. I’ve been doing this for years, whoever takes the call at the surgery puts it straight onto the system and they get approved by the GP.
Not today. She said that just today they’ve been told that there is a world wide shortage of blood taking containers and the GP has to be asked if it is possible for me to have the tests done and they haven’t been automatically put on the system.
surely @Josh DUK there is not a risk of our review blood tests being
rationed?
I’ve just found a link to this article https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/c...nd-some-blood-tests-as-tube-shortage-worsens/

Hello @AJLang ,

I have an update regarding this.

Blood vial shortages in England and Wales

What does this mean for people with diabetes? Only blood tests considered clinically urgent are being done by NHS primary care and hospital services for the moment.

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[trophywench]

Yes, on the news tonight. Had mine for hosp clinic appt next week - Phew !

 

[grovesy]

My surgery have posted on their Facebook page, they are saying it is expected to last till the middle of September.

 

[stackingcups]

Yes my surgery have posted on the FB page today too