Online booking system launched for blood tests across Dudley

All blood tests requested by GPs have had to be booked in advance since The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust stopped its walk-in service to ensure social distancing can be maintained in waiting rooms and to reduce the amount of time patients have to wait.

As a result phone lines have been red hot and patients have taken to social media to complain about the difficulty getting through to book an appointment.

The Trust, however, has now brought in an online booking system for people needing to have blood tests done at Russells Hall Hospital or the Guest and Corbett outpatient centres.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group, said: “We wanted to make sure patients were not having to wait to get through on the phone as we know how frustrating and inconvenient that can be.

"Our new online booking system can be accessed at any time to suit the patient, and they will be able to view available appointments easily.

“It is really important people continue to get the medical help and support they need and we hope patients find this a convenient way to get their blood tests which will help with diagnosis and timely treatment.”

Blood tests requested by a GP are carried out at Guest and Corbett Outpatient Centres between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and at Russells Hall Hospital on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm.

There will also be additional availability when possible which will be shown on the online portal.

Patients need to have a GP form and to book online they will need to have a mobile number to receive a text confirmation.

The online booking links can be found on the Trust’s website dgft.nhs.uk.

Anyone unable to book online can call 01384 244330 or 01384 365155 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.

Patients requiring blood tests requested by their hospital consultant do not need to book and can still walk-in for a test at either of the three locations.