Echo gets huge support for blood test campaign

4:20pm Sunday 27th January 2013 in News

Echo gets huge support for Southend blood test campaign Echo gets huge support for Southend blood test campaign


THE ECHO has been overwhelmed by a huge response to our campaign to keep blood tests local.

NHS MIdlands and East is proposing moving all non urgent pathology screening to Bedford Hospital raising concerns about delays in getting results and a poorer service for GPs who currently get a rapid and efficient service from Southend and Basildon hospitals.

Our office has received more than 300 written copies of the paper petition and online the e-petition has more than 4,600 signatures.
We’ve also been inundated with phone calls and emails.

Andrew Tollett, is a volunteer registered carer helping look after two people with chronic conditions which rely on regular blood testing to ascertain treatment.
Mr Tollett, 65, from Shoebury, is backing the campaign.

He said: “The blood tests one patient has require a four hour maximum time between bloods drawn and testing. I’d be concerned about these being driven to Bedford within that time. She is an extremely ill lady and I’m sure other people’s blood tests are life dependant.”

The Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, which will sign off the contract if satisfied with the service which comes into operation in May, says it will bear patients views in mind and a strict list of caveats before agreeing the move permanently.

Sign our petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43260

 

Comments (14)

12:24pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

Dear Echo,

Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex.


Thank you.
Dear Echo, Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex. Thank you. Shoebury_Cyclist

3:45pm Sun 27 Jan 13

jolllyboy says...

Agreed Shoebury_cyclist. us residents need confirmation - can the echo find out - whether our councillors and MP's are collectively supporting keeping this service in Southend. Our Hospital is a University Hospital and as such should not be deprived of the routine blood tests. Lose this and I feel our Maternity and A & E facilities are not safe.We have an increased population since the 1990's and if we lose this battle it will leave this corner of Essex exposed. It is a dangerous journey for precious cargo.What about those patients who have not given permission for their medical records to go on computer ? How then will the results get back to Southend and the GPs?
They say there are "many notable service and clinical benefits arising from proposed changes in service" - so what else have they got planned.
The Echo should promote residents' attendance at the meeting at the Civic Centre which is discussing this signing by printing details of it.
Agreed Shoebury_cyclist. us residents need confirmation - can the echo find out - whether our councillors and MP's are collectively supporting keeping this service in Southend. Our Hospital is a University Hospital and as such should not be deprived of the routine blood tests. Lose this and I feel our Maternity and A & E facilities are not safe.We have an increased population since the 1990's and if we lose this battle it will leave this corner of Essex exposed. It is a dangerous journey for precious cargo.What about those patients who have not given permission for their medical records to go on computer ? How then will the results get back to Southend and the GPs? They say there are "many notable service and clinical benefits arising from proposed changes in service" - so what else have they got planned. The Echo should promote residents' attendance at the meeting at the Civic Centre which is discussing this signing by printing details of it. jolllyboy

6:24pm Sun 27 Jan 13

GentleGiant says...

This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers.

There is no issues with the services going to Bedford.

Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally.

There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense.

This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states.

I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have.
This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers. There is no issues with the services going to Bedford. Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally. There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense. This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states. I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have. GentleGiant

6:35pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

GentleGiant wrote:
This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers.

There is no issues with the services going to Bedford.

Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally.

There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense.

This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states.

I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have.
No matter how often you repeat your lies, GentleGiant, they won't become the truth.
[quote][p][bold]GentleGiant[/bold] wrote: This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers. There is no issues with the services going to Bedford. Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally. There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense. This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states. I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have.[/p][/quote]No matter how often you repeat your lies, GentleGiant, they won't become the truth. Shoebury_Cyclist

7:28pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Lesley says...

How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it?
How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it? Lesley

7:43pm Sun 27 Jan 13

GentleGiant says...

Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:
GentleGiant wrote:
This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers.

There is no issues with the services going to Bedford.

Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally.

There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense.

This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states.

I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have.
No matter how often you repeat your lies, GentleGiant, they won't become the truth.
Facts cannot be lies.....
[quote][p][bold]Shoebury_Cyclist[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]GentleGiant[/bold] wrote: This is only being backed by the Echo to sell newspapers. There is no issues with the services going to Bedford. Urgent blood tests will still be carried out locally. There is no need to routine blood tests to be carried out locally. Centralising these makes a lot of sense. This will safeguard money that can then be spent on local NHS services such as maternity and A&E - both of which are much needed in the local area as jollyboy correctly states. I trust that our MP's will not fall for the same propaganda that some local resident have.[/p][/quote]No matter how often you repeat your lies, GentleGiant, they won't become the truth.[/p][/quote]Facts cannot be lies..... GentleGiant

7:49pm Sun 27 Jan 13

cgb says...

And that's the point that gentle giant misses isn't it.
No medical support for the abnormal bloods, no liaison with the patient's GP, no discussion of what should happen next -just up to A&E will it be???
Oh and I am told that if you do have to go to A&E then they won't be able to see the result as it is a completely different system to the one A&E and all the local GOs use. So I guess you will have to have another blood test (more cost, more waiting) before you cen get sorted.
Lunacy
Hang on though- I wonder if any MPs have financial interests in private healthcare providers????? Bet I can guess what the answer is.
And that's the point that gentle giant misses isn't it. No medical support for the abnormal bloods, no liaison with the patient's GP, no discussion of what should happen next -just up to A&E will it be??? Oh and I am told that if you do have to go to A&E then they won't be able to see the result as it is a completely different system to the one A&E and all the local GOs use. So I guess you will have to have another blood test (more cost, more waiting) before you cen get sorted. Lunacy Hang on though- I wonder if any MPs have financial interests in private healthcare providers????? Bet I can guess what the answer is. cgb

7:54pm Sun 27 Jan 13

GentleGiant says...

Lesley wrote:
How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it?
Probably decided by the GP or hospital.

But let us assume that neither suspected it was urgent until testing. The patient probably waited a couple of days for the GP appointment, then another couple of days for the blood test. Is another 3 or 4 hours going to make any difference? I doubt it in the vast majority of cases. If it really is urgent, then procedures will be in place for that scenario.

Who is to say that tests are processed any quicker locally anyway - established services tend to slow down overtime as they are only as good as the employees carrying out the task with equipment that is not always state of the art.

At Bedford you would have state of the art processing systems, which IMHO will speed up the processing time.
[quote][p][bold]Lesley[/bold] wrote: How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it?[/p][/quote]Probably decided by the GP or hospital. But let us assume that neither suspected it was urgent until testing. The patient probably waited a couple of days for the GP appointment, then another couple of days for the blood test. Is another 3 or 4 hours going to make any difference? I doubt it in the vast majority of cases. If it really is urgent, then procedures will be in place for that scenario. Who is to say that tests are processed any quicker locally anyway - established services tend to slow down overtime as they are only as good as the employees carrying out the task with equipment that is not always state of the art. At Bedford you would have state of the art processing systems, which IMHO will speed up the processing time. GentleGiant

8:34pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

cgb wrote:
And that's the point that gentle giant misses isn't it.
No medical support for the abnormal bloods, no liaison with the patient's GP, no discussion of what should happen next -just up to A&E will it be???
Oh and I am told that if you do have to go to A&E then they won't be able to see the result as it is a completely different system to the one A&E and all the local GOs use. So I guess you will have to have another blood test (more cost, more waiting) before you cen get sorted.
Lunacy
Hang on though- I wonder if any MPs have financial interests in private healthcare providers????? Bet I can guess what the answer is.
Indeed they do:

http://img.photobuck
et.com/albums/v223/M
initar1/Politics/NHS
gov.jpg


And here's a list of all parliamentarians who stand to benefit from a privatised NHS:

http://socialinvesti
gations.blogspot.co.
uk/2012/07/over-60-m
ps-connected-to-comp
anies.html
[quote][p][bold]cgb[/bold] wrote: And that's the point that gentle giant misses isn't it. No medical support for the abnormal bloods, no liaison with the patient's GP, no discussion of what should happen next -just up to A&E will it be??? Oh and I am told that if you do have to go to A&E then they won't be able to see the result as it is a completely different system to the one A&E and all the local GOs use. So I guess you will have to have another blood test (more cost, more waiting) before you cen get sorted. Lunacy Hang on though- I wonder if any MPs have financial interests in private healthcare providers????? Bet I can guess what the answer is.[/p][/quote]Indeed they do: http://img.photobuck et.com/albums/v223/M initar1/Politics/NHS gov.jpg And here's a list of all parliamentarians who stand to benefit from a privatised NHS: http://socialinvesti gations.blogspot.co. uk/2012/07/over-60-m ps-connected-to-comp anies.html Shoebury_Cyclist

8:37pm Sun 27 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

GentleGiant wrote:
Lesley wrote:
How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it?
Probably decided by the GP or hospital.

But let us assume that neither suspected it was urgent until testing. The patient probably waited a couple of days for the GP appointment, then another couple of days for the blood test. Is another 3 or 4 hours going to make any difference? I doubt it in the vast majority of cases. If it really is urgent, then procedures will be in place for that scenario.

Who is to say that tests are processed any quicker locally anyway - established services tend to slow down overtime as they are only as good as the employees carrying out the task with equipment that is not always state of the art.

At Bedford you would have state of the art processing systems, which IMHO will speed up the processing time.
What part of the time taken to get the blood samples to Bedford will put lives at risk, are you not getting? Are you being deliberately obtuse?

Are you so blinded by greed you cannot see that?

We already HAVE state of the art processing systems IN Southend. Where is the sense in sending samples over 80 miles, and paying a private contractor for the work? It will just be a drain on Southend's NHS resources.
[quote][p][bold]GentleGiant[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Lesley[/bold] wrote: How do you know if a blood test result is urgent until you analyse it?[/p][/quote]Probably decided by the GP or hospital. But let us assume that neither suspected it was urgent until testing. The patient probably waited a couple of days for the GP appointment, then another couple of days for the blood test. Is another 3 or 4 hours going to make any difference? I doubt it in the vast majority of cases. If it really is urgent, then procedures will be in place for that scenario. Who is to say that tests are processed any quicker locally anyway - established services tend to slow down overtime as they are only as good as the employees carrying out the task with equipment that is not always state of the art. At Bedford you would have state of the art processing systems, which IMHO will speed up the processing time.[/p][/quote]What part of the time taken to get the blood samples to Bedford will put lives at risk, are you not getting? Are you being deliberately obtuse? Are you so blinded by greed you cannot see that? We already HAVE state of the art processing systems IN Southend. Where is the sense in sending samples over 80 miles, and paying a private contractor for the work? It will just be a drain on Southend's NHS resources. Shoebury_Cyclist

9:18pm Sun 27 Jan 13

jolllyboy says...

If Essex CC gets their extra for the police i see no reason why we cannot pay a similar nominal amount each to keep our blood analysis here. - pence.
The review of the NHS by Lord Zarzi - after the Carter Report which started all this states

"Localise where possible - centralise where necessary "

IT AINT NECESSARY TO CENTRALISE.
If Essex CC gets their extra for the police i see no reason why we cannot pay a similar nominal amount each to keep our blood analysis here. - pence. The review of the NHS by Lord Zarzi - after the Carter Report which started all this states "Localise where possible - centralise where necessary " IT AINT NECESSARY TO CENTRALISE. jolllyboy

7:26am Mon 28 Jan 13

Ian P says...

Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:
Dear Echo, Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex. Thank you.
Do not rely on the local rag to get an answer for you, contact the MP's yourself and tell them how you feel. If enough constituents make contact they will react. It is simply a numbers game. In the time it took you to type in your comments on this web site you could have sent an email to your MP.
[quote][p][bold]Shoebury_Cyclist[/bold] wrote: Dear Echo, Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex. Thank you.[/p][/quote]Do not rely on the local rag to get an answer for you, contact the MP's yourself and tell them how you feel. If enough constituents make contact they will react. It is simply a numbers game. In the time it took you to type in your comments on this web site you could have sent an email to your MP. Ian P

8:59am Mon 28 Jan 13

Shoebury_Cyclist says...

Ian P wrote:
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:
Dear Echo, Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex. Thank you.
Do not rely on the local rag to get an answer for you, contact the MP's yourself and tell them how you feel. If enough constituents make contact they will react. It is simply a numbers game. In the time it took you to type in your comments on this web site you could have sent an email to your MP.
I have, did it a couple of weeks ago through www.writetothem.com. Still waiting for a reply.
I think it is a matter of public interest to see that their MPs are representing them, and not putting their party ideology before their constituents best interests. That's why these MPs' views should be all over the local media.
[quote][p][bold]Ian P[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Shoebury_Cyclist[/bold] wrote: Dear Echo, Could you tell us if our local tory MPs are doing their duty and representing their constituents' best interests by supporting this campaign and opposing this move. Or if they are simply toeing their party line and supporting this reduction in health services for a large part of south Essex. Thank you.[/p][/quote]Do not rely on the local rag to get an answer for you, contact the MP's yourself and tell them how you feel. If enough constituents make contact they will react. It is simply a numbers game. In the time it took you to type in your comments on this web site you could have sent an email to your MP.[/p][/quote]I have, did it a couple of weeks ago through www.writetothem.com. Still waiting for a reply. I think it is a matter of public interest to see that their MPs are representing them, and not putting their party ideology before their constituents best interests. That's why these MPs' views should be all over the local media. Shoebury_Cyclist

5:45pm Mon 28 Jan 13

cgb says...

If you write to your MP (as indeed I have) and include your name and address- if you are one of their constituents then they MUST answer you!!
Southend Hospital pathology department has state of the art equipment which is all recently bought- another reason why sending samples elsewhere is stupidity.
If you write to your MP (as indeed I have) and include your name and address- if you are one of their constituents then they MUST answer you!! Southend Hospital pathology department has state of the art equipment which is all recently bought- another reason why sending samples elsewhere is stupidity. cgb

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree