A BLOOD test clinic has been saved at the last minute after a dispute over space at a medical centre.

The owners of the Wickford Health Centre building, in Market Road, Wickford, told Pathology First - which runs the blood testing service - that it could no longer use its facilities as of the end of January.

Patients would have to travel to either Basildon Hospital, the St Andrews Centre, in Billericay, or Orsett Hospital - all more than six miles away.

Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group has since stepped in to secure a new room within the centre to enable the blood test clinic to continue. Discussions are still underway, with details to be finalised.

Patients feared they would face difficult journeys and long waits for appointments.

Peter Holliman, Tory councillor for Wickford North, said: “It is not too easy to leave Wickford.

“Public transport is not very good, so it is easier said than done to get somewhere else for a test.

“We would have had to go to Basildon Hospital with everyone else in the catchment area and sit and wait. You would need to take a flask, a sandwich and a good book and make a day of it.”

A spokesman for Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The group is aware that Pathology First has been given notice by North East London NHS Foundation Trust that it will no longer be able to use the current facilities at the Wickford Health Centre for a blood test clinic from Tuesday, January 31.

“The CCG has been working hard to find alternative accommodation and has secured new rooms within Wickford Health Centre for the blood test clinic.

“We can reassure patients the blood test clinic at Wickford Health Centre will be continuing.

“We are working with the practice manager of one of the practices at the health centre to finalise the details but the blood clinic will offer the same service, though there may be different time slots.”

A spokesman from Pathology First said additional clinics are being put on in Billericay while details of the new arrangement are drawn up. He said: “Pathology First is hopeful that alternative space can be found.

“We are increasing blood testing times at St Andrew’s Centre by two hours a day. From February 13 the clinic will be open 7.10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.”