People due to attend out-patient clinics to give blood samples will now be directed to our Acute Phlebotomy Hubs across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
As part of our response to COVID-19, we have made it possible for patients to give blood samples again by creating Hubs away from our main clinic waiting areas at our hospitals.
In 2019, almost one third of patient traffic at our hospitals were individuals giving blood samples (approximately 298,729 of 1,095,228 out-patient attendances).
The Hubs are designed to maintain social distancing and protect patient safety in out-patient clinics. Appointments have been scheduled at 20 minute intervals to reduce contact.
The Hubs are prepared for demand for its services and have capacity for over 650 appointments per week across GGC sites. The Hubs have been up and running since 8 June 2020.
Patients will be offered an online consultation through Attend Anywhere with their consultant after samples have been taken.
The Hubs are staffed by health care support workers and nurses that have been redeployed from each site’s outpatient workforce.
These are interim arrangements. In future, patients will be able to give blood samples in the community, such as health centres, as we try to make the process more convenient for patients.
Chris Deighan, Deputy Medical Director, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said:
“Patients are now able to give blood samples again and will be directed to our new Hubs to do so.
“We’re trying to make it safe and convenient for patients to give blood samples as we respond to COVID-19. This has involved the redesign of some of our services to reduce the number of people entering our hospitals.
“We’re hoping it will be possible for patients to be able to give blood samples in the community in future and we’ll be working with our Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues to achieve this.”
Acute Phlebotomy Hubs are now located:
- Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital
- Lightburn Hospital
- New Victoria Hospital
- West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital
- QEUH
- Gartnavel General Hospital
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital
- Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Vale of Leven Hospital