Fully-qualified phlebotomist Christine Horan has set up her own home blood-taking service in Cheltenham after seeing a big rise in the number of people requiring their blood to be taken.
Fully-qualified phlebotomist Christine Horan has set up her own home blood-taking service in Cheltenham after seeing a big rise in the number of people requiring their blood to be taken. She set up Blood Solutions after experiencing first-hand the strain that this rise puts on district nurses and hosptial staff.
She said: "Appointment books are always full and I realised that patients could really benefit from a different kind of service; one which meant they could choose where and when to have their blood taken."
"People are busy and don't have time to waste in hospital or surgery waiting rooms - and employers seem less understanding about staff taking time off work. Then there are the elderly who often find it difficult to get to the doctor's surgery or have to pay for a taxi there and back and young mums, who don't want to bring their children to the hospital and need to organise childcare."
Christine says that whilst she does have to charge for the service, it offers value for money when time saved and travelling costs are taken into consideration. More information at www.bloodsolutions.co.uk
Meanwhile Summerfield Nursing Clinic, which has been trading very successfully for 23 years, has also launched a phlebotomy service across the Cotswolds. Led by Debbie Brown, who has been a Phlebotomist for over 25 years including stints as Senior Phlebotomist at Cheltenham General and Cirencester Hospitals, the Summerfield team will coordinate the enquiries from people who are immobile, busy or would just like the use of this excellent private service.
For a charge of just �15, they will take the blood professionally and deliver it safely to the laboratories in Cheltenham, Gloucester, or in some cases Swindon. You will need a form from your doctor or specialist, but then it's just a phone call and two minutes of your time.
Summerfield have a clinic in Christchurch Road, Cheltenham, where an appointment is not always necessary.
