New hubs for people due to give blood samples at out-patient clinics have been set up at hospitals including the Vale of Leven.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has announced Acute Phlebotomy Hubs which will be away from the main clinic waiting areas in hospitals.
In 2019, almost one third of patient traffic in the board’s hospitals were individuals giving blood samples – nearly three million people.
Set up earlier this month, the hubs are designed to maintain social distancing and protect patient safety
Appointments have been scheduled at 20-minute intervals to reduce contact and there is capacity for over 650 appointments per week in total.
Patients will be offered an online consultation through the Attend Anywhere system with their consultant after samples have been taken.
The health board says the hubs are staffed by health care support workers and nurses who have been redeployed from each site’s outpatient workforce.
These are said to be interim arrangements .
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 at the following hospitals:
- Vale of Leven
- Royal Alexandra
- Inverclyde Royal
- Stobhill Ambulatory Care
- Lightburn
- New Victoria
- West Glasgow Ambulatory Care
- Queen Elizabeth University
- Gartnavel General
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