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Ross raises concerns over blood test hubs


By Alan Beresford

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MORAY residents are facing round trips of up to 100 miles due to changes to the locations for blood tests in the NHS Grampian area.

Moray MP Douglas Ross. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Moray MP Douglas Ross. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Local MP Douglas Ross was contacted by constituents in Fochabers who were told to travel to Fraserburgh, 51 miles away, or Forres, 21 miles away.

GP surgeries are no longer providing blood tests under the new system, which involves the use of community hubs instead.

NHS Grampian has said there will be hubs in Forres, Buckie and Elgin as part of a network across the region operating on different days.

Mr Ross wrote to NHS Grampian chief executive Professor Caroline Hiscock seeking clarity on the issue.

He said: “I was contacted by constituents here in Moray who were concerned about the process for getting blood tests that would normally have been carried out in their local doctor’s surgery.

“Some were told to travel from Fochabers as far as Fraserburgh, which is a 100-mile round trip, or to Forres, which is more than 40 miles there and back.

“Clearly this will cause problems for many, particularly during the winter months.

“I was also concerned about capacity if patients were travelling into surgeries from outwith the immediate local area.

“NHS Grampian has explained that changes have been made, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that local hubs will be available across the region, with at least three here in Moray.

“There is also now a booking system in place, and patients must call the booking line to make an appointment.

“I have passed this information on to constituents affected but also feel that this must be more widely distributed and understood to avoid any further confusion.”

A spokesperson for NHS Grampian said: “As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, new procedures have been put in place across healthcare to minimise face-to-face contact where it is safe to do so.

“Where face-to-face care is required, such as having blood tests taken, there are new procedures in place, around infection prevention control, regarding physical distancing and timings between patient appointment. These factors have resulted in a significant reduction in capacity for Primary Care Services (GPs) in terms of the number of blood tests they can safely perform.

“As a result some services at GP surgeries and community hospitals have been paused with hub facilities providing these services instead.

“We apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced as a result of these changes."

The three Moray hubs are situated at Seafield Hospital in Buckie, Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and Forres Health and Care Centre. To book an appointment ring (01224) 555177.


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