Diary summary week ending 17th March 2024

[BushInn1746]

Our Hospital stopped blood tests to callers with an outside GP Blood Test Form over 2 years ago.

We take the form home and book online / 'phone with one of the mobile local blood test clinics.

Royal College of Pathologists
Barts NHS Trust are averaging half a million tests per week ...
https://www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/news/fact-sheets/pathology-facts-and-figures-.html

[River Tyne Lass]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is also stopped too at our local hospital before long.  From what I saw on Monday it was like a cattle market and there were quite a few disgruntled people when it was pointed out to us that not all could be seen to in the time frame.
I don't blame the phlebotomist for having a miserable demeanor - she certainly had her work cut out and then some, working flat out on her own.
I had no form.  I was told at my surgery that it is all one system and that I could just turn up when this department is open at the hospital.

[BushInn1746]

No Blood Test Form = No Test for us, unless we go Private & pay.

[River Tyne Lass]

That's right there was no form.  Perhaps there was something on the computer validating that I had been asked to get this done and so they would know I hadn't just turned up on a whim?

[louisa maud]

The last time I went to the hospital for a blood test I was met with a very miserable phlebotomist,  she made a point of  telling me what her wage were and the abuse  she gets from people, to be honest if that was her attitude I am not surprised, if she treated everyone with the same attitude, whilst I remained silent others would not have done, my opinion is, if you don't like the job, move on.
My surgery has just started  to take blood again after about 5 years,  so much easier and they generally are pleasant, must admit they have great difficulty taking a sample from me,  next one in a few weeks.
To change the subject, a much better day today, no rain but dull, not good enough to hang washing out, garden still to wet to mow.

LM

[River Tyne Lass]

Maybe that person transferred from your hospital to our hospital LM.

Actually, after Bushini's posts I have just checked my own records online to see if this was all processed.  That would be awful if they suddenly thought hey she turned up with no form - we're not doing it.  Thankfully, results are through already - normal and no further action required.  So current med level must be working. Phew! I feel like I've passed an exam! 
I might add I don't really like looking at my own records, it makes me nervous.

Weather dull here and too damp and cold to mow the grass.

[Jebber]

Heard a lot of noise on thr bird table ,two Wood Pigeons with the white flash on their necks.
I put out a whole loaf, a round French Boule from Tesco, but they are dusted with uncooked flour ,well it is white,so a shorter life .I don’t eat much bread and nor does my son ,so the whole thing was wasted after about four days in the fridge in a plastic box.


Cheerio.
Viktoria.

It’s about eight years since the needed a form for a blood test at our local hospital. Just take a number and when called give your name and birth date. The surgery will call if there is any change to prescription, or if the Doctor needs to see you.

Now I can no longer get out, I get a phone call from the surgery telling me when the phlebotomist will come to me.

Viktoria, the fridge is the worst place to keep bread. If it’s an uncut loaf, slice it and freeze it, then take out just what you need, pop it in a plastic bag while it defrosts, it doesn’t take long and tastes like fresh bread. For toast you can do it straight from the freezer. I don’t eat a lot of bread and only buy it fortnightly, I freeze all mine.

[teragram31510]

As you may know, I live in France in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is a medical 'desert', ie. not enough GPs or specialist consultants in the area.
On Monday morning I went to see my GP to get a prescription renewed and we discussed an opthalmology appointement I had had recently? She decided I should have a complete blood test done before I see the cardilogist in about 6 weeks time, so she gave me a prescription for one.
Tuesday morning I drove to the local medical laboratory, about 10 minutes away, arrived about 8.05 am and joined the queue of about 5 people. 2 were already with the ladies behind their desks taking their details. My turn came, I gave the lady my 'carte vitale' (contains my name, NH insurance number, DOB etc) so that the NH system could pay the lab. for the test, discussed receiving the results by email, then sat in the waiting room. 5 minutes later I was called in by a pleasant young woman who checked my DOB, took the blood, discussed why the prescription was in my maiden name yet the lab. had me under my married name and wished me good day. I left and was home by 8.45 am.
At about 17h the results were available to me, informed by email - and had been sent to my GP too.

The French complain about their NH system - they don't know  they're born !!

Margaret

 

[BushInn1746]

RTL, Pleased, No further action 

We probably have a Form because the Mobile Blood Taking Clinics are in Community Centres with no NHS PC system. All they have are lists of names and appointment times, they read your test form from GP and your blood tubes go in a bag with that blood test form.

Blood Test appointment waiting was down from 10 days to 2 to 3 days.

Oh Margaret, that sounds like an idyllic blood test dream.

Mark

Jebber, I keep my bread cool and out of the sun, then freeze my bread too, before the date. Still nice toasted.