Recovery of Blood Service Posted or Updated on 21 Nov 2024

GPs will be able to request routine blood tests again from Monday 25 November. Patients who already have a blood test can go online or call the Community Phlebotomy Service to book an appointment. 

Following the cyber-attack incident on SEL pathology services a reduced phlebotomy service has been in place. An urgent pathway was maintained through mutual aid from our neighbours in NHS South West London. The SWL pathology service processed over 61 thousand Bromley samples and returned over 184 thousand test results to Bromley GPs. Throughout the incident routine blood tests were requested by GPs and recorded as a delayed blood test and patients were advised to wait for contact from phlebotomy services.

The Community Phlebotomy Service run by the Bromley GP Alliance (BGPA) has now contacted every patient on the delayed blood test waiting list at least once either by text, or by landline phone call to those without a mobile, to alert them to availability of appointments. Thousands of people from the waiting list have been seen or are booked in to be seen for a blood test. However, there remain many patients on the waiting list that have not booked an appointment. If you already have a blood test form please contact the Community Phlebotomy Service.

Although phlebotomy is open to new routine referrals, the plan in Bromley is to continue to contact patients from the waiting list to ensure everyone with a delayed blood test has the opportunity to access an appointment in the coming weeks. 

Community Phlebotomy Services | Bromley GP Alliance (0203 930 0245)