Outrage at plans to stop blood tests at local surgery - Nicholson

11.10.00am GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Streatham, Chris Nicholson, has written to Lambeth Primary Care Trust demanding an urgent review of plans to stop funding for blood tests for all but the elderly and infirm at the Edith Cavell Surgery on Streatham Hill. His comments came after a member of the surgery's patient forum contacted him expressing concern.

Chris commented ' It is ridiculous that patients will in future have to traipse up to St Thomas' Hospital or elsewhere to get their blood tested when previously they could have it tested locally'

Chris Nicholson wants blood tests kept at surgeries

This flies in the face of Lambeth PCT's recently published Five Year Plan which states that a central goal is to "Bring care closer to home by providing more services in the community."

Chris added, 'The Government claims it wants more and more services to be GP lead within the community, with surgeries taking on minor surgical procedures etc. Yet in practice, due to Lambeth PCT policy we're told, we find blood tests, the most basic yet vital of services, are being moved away from surgeries back to the hospitals. I have written to the PCT demanding to know which other surgeries are affected and calling on them to reverse this barmy plan'