The blood testing service currently delivered from the main outpatients’ department at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, will be relocating to the new St Margaret’s Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) on 16 November.
This will offer patients a new, modern purpose-built environment, in a more convenient setting alongside other diagnostics services and additional appointments, increasing access to care closer to home.
The introduction of blood testing is the latest expansion of services at the CDC, which saw its first patient in March and officially opened in May. The centre is designed to transform care for the communities we serve by supporting quicker, more local access to diagnostic tests and treatment closer to patients’ homes.
Blood testing services will continue to be available at the Harvey Centre in Harlow and Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, as well as a number of health centre and GP practice clinics already in place.
The service will continue to be delivered by the experienced phlebotomy team from Health Services Laboratories (HSL). The centre is expected to see around 230 patients a day.
Although the location is changing from 16 November, patients referred by their GP for a blood test will still be able to use the same Swiftqueue system to book their appointment for the St Margaret’s CDC. Parking arrangements remain the same at the St Margaret’s Hospital site.
Thom Lafferty, Chief Executive, said: “Expanding the range of services available at St Margaret’s CDC is an important part of our commitment to providing more care closer to home.
“Relocating blood testing to the CDC will give patients a modern, purpose-built environment and enable us to offer more appointments, while creating a more efficient experience.
“Alongside our blood testing services at the Harvey Centre in Harlow and Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, this will improve access to diagnostic care across the communities we serve.”
Pictured: The phlebotomy department at the St Margaret’s CDC.