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