A supplier of blood bottles to the NHS has advised of a global shortage of equipment used for taking blood tests. As a result, all GP Surgeries we have been ‘instructed’ by NHSE to perform urgent blood tests only!

Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems, will still get one but only where a clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.

Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available.

If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the NHS as you would normally

PLEASE DONT CALL US ABOUT THESE – We will send notifications.

We know the government want us to start Covid Boosters in early September and we want to start our flu clinics too but as yet we have not yet been given vital information to start process i.e. if they can be given at the same time; if they can be done at a central location or in the surgery; if a 15 minute wait is required after covid vaccination or if there is a specific order to give them in.

Until we are given these answers we cannot start booking any covid boosters or flu jabs. We have been told could be 2-3 weeks before we are given answers but please be assured as soon as we have them we will be contacting our patients with what is happening.

Please bear with us until we know how to proceed but we may have to do some very quick invitations once given the green light.