You may have seen in the media that there is currently an international shortage of the bottles we use to collect blood samples which are then analysed in the hospital lab.  This means there are dwindling stocks both in the surgery and with the usual sources who supply us.  For this reason, we have been asked by the Healthboard to stop all non-urgent blood tests as the residual bottles will be needed for the most clinically important cases.

Our clinicians are aware of this situation and so will no longer be requesting blood tests except if patients meet strict criteria.  As for those of you with tests already booked in future weeks, we will be reviewing these going forward, and you may be contacted to cancel the appointment, or perhaps will only have limited tests done, and / or blood pressures /other investigations where necessary.

We can reassure you that as and when normal supplies return (this may be months away) we will endeavour to re-organise tests for those patients who missed routine checks etc.

Unfortunately we now have 4 unplanned GP absences (as well as several of the admin team), and so would ask that you please only contact us with emergency issues for the coming days, as we are struggling to cope with both the 'pre-booked' as well as 'on-the-day' demand - with less doctors to share this work between, despite volunteers working extra hours etc and a limited number of locums we have sourced.
We appreciate this is not ideal however as you are all aware, the limitations/implications of the current Covid situation is proving very difficult for us to navigate, and so we are grateful for your understanding.