Blood Test Bottle Shortage. What's The Latest In Your Area / At Your GP / In Your Paper.?

binao

A friend's  GP this week said she needed a full  blood test but there's no bottles for several weeks, early mid to late Nov.

T'e internet says 9 million have been delivered 1st week of Sept. Defo Sept.

Where have they all gone 😕

What's the latest news, do you know the  latest blood bottle situation at your GP,  in your area, or in your paper?

Not sure what to say to her. I can't  ring my, or her, GP and say, "got any bottles yet".

unforeseen

No problems in my area at either GP or hospital level. Have recently had both hospital triggered bloods and GP instigated bloods. 

Murphybear

I had my routine 6 monthly blood test about a month ago and the nurse said supplies were a bit short. On our GP website they say everything is back to normal now.  

PterionPterion

Depending on the type of markers being investigated, the type of bottle differs. 

Our local trust is conducting only urgent tests of a particular marker due to the shortage but has no supply issues for the rest. 

binao

PterionPterion said:

Depending on the type of markers being investigated, the type of bottle differs. 

Our local trust is conducting only urgent tests of a particular marker due to the shortage but has no supply issues for the rest. 

Thank you. Can you say which marker bottle is in short supply and if that applies nationally.

PterionPterion

binao said:

PterionPterion said:

Depending on the type of markers being investigated, the type of bottle differs. 

Our local trust is conducting only urgent tests of a particular marker due to the shortage but has no supply issues for the rest. 

Thank you. Can you say which marker bottle is in short supply and if that applies nationally.

Unfortunately that would be against policy but if you have a look on GPonline there is an NHS guidance document for primary care practitioners indicating the current approach and criteria. 
Ultimately it is the practitioner's decision regardless of the shortage. 

binao

Thanks @PterionPterion and everyone.  

We are nearing the end October, maybe we are approaching the time when something should be happening re the blood bottle shortage. 9 million in Sept should have been distributed by now. Lorry driver shortage?

 I'm not sure what to say to her, she's, "doesn't want want to make a fuss", generation.

binao

It's Nov 5th,  big bang day. Still no bottles locally, just blah blah.

My friends Dr. said, "we'll do a blood test",. That was over a month ago. 

Should she go back to the Dr.? She doesn't want to make a fuss, Covid etc.

Any suggestions. Is the bottle supply shortage over in your area? Bottles are not rocket science.