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NHS UK cuts back on blood tests

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,453
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58324108
Apparently, this is hopefully a temporary measure enforced by supply chain issues. It may affect diagnosis testing for diabetes. My heart monitoring tests have been cancelled, My kidney function tests are also on hold. My Hba1c due next month may also be affected.
 

I had a routine, monitoring test, on Tuesday, with no mention of shortages. Of course, that could be different today.

I can't imaging urgent bloods would be deferred.
 
AndBreathe said:
I had a routine, monitoring test, on Tuesday, with no mention of shortages. Of course, that could be different today.

I can't imaging urgent bloods would be deferred.
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I agree re urgent bloods but I always think it's those tests that sit just below urgent that stops things becoming urgent.
 
I have heard it's the vials that are in short supply as well as my favourite strawberries!(none in my local!)
 
KK123 said:
I agree re urgent bloods but I always think it's those tests that sit just below urgent that stops things becoming urgent.
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Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. It's certainly a long way from ideal.
 
I went for my hbA1c today plus the FBC and everything else the do.. mentioned the shortage to my hospital and they said they were OK.. maybe its regional ?

I blame the HGV drivers
 
searley said:
I went for my hbA1c today plus the FBC and everything else the do.. mentioned the shortage to my hospital and they said they were OK.. maybe its regional ?

I blame the HGV drivers
Click to expand...
Well it looks like it has changed since you went today!
 
Andydragon said:
Well it looks like it has changed since you went today!
Click to expand...
I read the article this morning before going to the hospital

so maybe some hospitals struggling more than others
 
searley said:
I read the article this morning before going to the hospital

so maybe some hospitals struggling more than others
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The independent article? I saw earlier news saying there was a problem, the more recent seems to have told all of England to stop, to help all regions I guess

still, not good
 
searley said:
I went for my hbA1c today plus the FBC and everything else the do.. mentioned the shortage to my hospital and they said they were OK.. maybe its regional ?

I blame the HGV drivers
Click to expand...
I blame Brexit.
 
searley said:
I went for my hbA1c today plus the FBC and everything else the do.. mentioned the shortage to my hospital and they said they were OK.. maybe its regional ?

I blame the HGV drivers
Click to expand...
An explanation, there are 2 types of blood collecting systems - monovette and vacutainer. I have so far been unable to find which one has the shortages. The hospital laboratory equipment decides which is used, both in hospital and community.
 
I am surprised that a Tory donor with no experience of manufacturing anything similar hasn't been contracted to fill the shortfall for 10 times the usual price.
 
I went for a blood test at the surgery at 8.30 am today and mentioned to the phlebotomist about vial shortages I heard about on the news. She hadn't heard. By the time I got home 30 minutes later I'd had the text cancelling all further non-urgent tests. I'm hoping that, as my blood is already occupying a vial, it will get tested
 
I’ve just come out of hospital after a four day stay, I wish they’d told the Drs there to ration the tests, I might then have less bruises from the daily, sometimes twice daily tests!

Edit for typo
 
Last edited:
Rachox said:
I’ve just come out of hospital after a four day stay, I wish they’d told the Drs there to ration the tests, I might then would have less bruises from the daily, sometimes twice daily tests!
Click to expand...
Hope you are ok.
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