Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has said that there is no need to be alarmed by plans to move out-patient blood test screening to Bedford.
A local newspaper have for some time been campaigning against the move which would see routine blood tests processed at a central laboratory at Bedford Hospital.
Mr Metcalfe commented: “I can understand that it is worrying to hear of potential changes to this service but I would like to reassure residents that they are highly unlikely to notice any change in the service they receive.”
“I have discussed the issue at length with Basildon Hospital and can confirm that the in-house pathology lab will still be conducting all in-patient blood tests, accounting for 60% of their work. In- patients will receive exactly the same service as they do now.”
Routine blood tests commissioned by GPs will be collected locally and processed in a central, automated lab in Bedford, which according to Mr Metcalfe should cause no disruption to the service. In urgent or emergency cases, the hospital will still have full facilities and be able to provide any test needed.
Mr Metcalfe added: “For the vast majority of people, there will be no difference in the time taken to get the results back. They will be sent electronically every evening as they are now and the state of the art equipment at Bedford enables more tests to be conducted in a shorter time.”
“This is not a change that will put people’s health at risk. It is a change that will both save money which can be diverted back into front line services and which will provide patients with the best possible service, in the shortest possible time.”
