Phlebotomy waiting times

The LMC has had numerous meetings with SBUHB regarding the unacceptable waiting times for phlebotomy (blood test) appointments. SBUHB acknowledging that the Health Board shares the LMC's serious concerns. The main issues highlighted in these meetings include:

• Staffing Crisis: Since April, there has been a cumulative turnover of approximately 10 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff, affecting both primary and secondary carem services. This has been compounded by HB’s recruitment policy.

• Patient Impact: The staff shortage has led to very poor patient experiences, particularly for vulnerable patients and those on cancer pathways. These concerns have been escalated to the Chief Executive via correspondence from MPs and MSs (Welsh Government) and patients themselves.

• Historical Problem: The Health Board has had this problem before, and the current, temporary fixes are not sustainable or future-proofed.

• National waiting time initiatives and the increasing requirements to monitor medication have impacted demand. 

The HB has resolved to take the following immediate & Short-Term Actions:

• Recruitment Drive: RP has signed off on 5.5 WTE posts for recruitment, with interviews held on November 20th and 21st. Candidates will undergo rapid onboarding including being pulled early, where possible, from their notice periods.

• Redeployment: The secondary care phlebotomy offer at Neath Port Talbot will be reviewed and rationalised to free up capacity. Capacity will be redeployed to the primary care phlebotomy offer.

• Short-Term Staffing Boost: Shifts are being offered to anyone qualified to take blood, including medical and nursing students, as a short-term measure to boost capacity.

• Service Relocation: The phlebotomy service, recently moved to a new, non-ideal location within Singleton Hospital and will be moved again within Singleton to allow for extra chairs and improved patient throughput.

SBUHB is keen to work with the LMC to design a sustainable, future-proofed, 3-5 year model for the phlebotomy service, noting that recent data from 2 years ago indicated that approximately 12K blood tests were taking place in practices and not being claimed for. It should also be noted that the Welsh Government have an agenda to transform the phlebotomy service illustrating that it is a national area of concern.

Please continue to datix related issues and contact us regarding your concerns about this important patient safety issue.