BLOOD tests are moving out of Wickford...meaning patients will have to travel away from the town centre and brave a “dangerous” road.

Health bosses at the Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have announced the blood testing service, which currently takes place at the Wickford Health Centre, will move to St Mary’s Church Hall, in Church End Lane, Runwell, from Thursday, May 18.

David Harrison, Basildon mayor and the leader of the Wickford Independents, is concerned the move will negatively impact those who regularly have to use the service.

He said: “There are quite a lot of people who are very unhappy about the move. They are concerned about were is it going, how they are going to get there and how often it will run.

“It’s already a hell of a job to get an appointment - I’ve ended up driving to Billericay in the past. Is this going to be any better?

“Lots of people who are on medication need to have regular blood tests so it will be frustrating to have to travel further for them.

“People are potentially going to have to get a bus to Wickford and then another service to the church in Runwell, so it’s going to be very inconvenient for some people.

“It sometimes seems that Wickford is the poor relation where services are concerned.”

Mr Harrison is also concerned about the safety of the new venue. The Echo has previously told how churchgoers fear they are “taking their life into their hands” when they cross the busy road following a string of crashes. They have called for a crossing to be installed.

Mr Harrison said: “The bus stop which is outside the new venue is across the very busy road. “It’s the most dangerous place to try and cross it but people won’t have too much choice.

“I can’t understand why they could not have found another venue in Wickford. The CCG has also opted for an appointment-only system in order to cut down waiting times.

The new service will offer 200 appointments a week on Thursday between 7.30am and noon and Friday from noon to 4pm.

Appointments can be booked at basildonandthurrock.nhs.uk/ blood-tests-online.

The CCG has been contacted for comment but did not respond before the Echo went to print.

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THE decision to move Wickford’s blood test service comes at a time when medical provision in the town is in turmoil.

The town, which has about 33,000 residents, will soon be left with just five GP surgeries. The Echo has previously reported how the Swan Lane Practice, in Wickford, is set to close permanently in August following a row over its lease.

The surgery temporarily closed last month due to staffing issues but will close for good later this year.

The 5,620 patients on its books will be moved to the Applewood Surgery, in Market Avenue, which is also owned by the Swanwood Partnership.

Just a week after the announcement of the Swan Lane surgery closure, the Robert Frew Medical Partners branch in Franklins Way, Wickford, also announced it was closing due to staffing and lease problems.

When it was inspected in early March, the branch was ordered to improve by the Care Quality Commission.

However, a new state-of-theart health centre, set to replace the one in London Road, will include eight examination rooms and three treatment rooms as well as an increase in the number of available GPs.

The plans include interview and training rooms, as well as modern reception and waiting areas.

The new building is expected to be completed in July