NHS say patients will not lose out as some GPs stop offering blood tests in certain circumstances
Devon MP Richard Foord is worried it could mean immuno-compromised patients having to travel further
Last updated 8th Apr 2025
A Devon MP is worried some patients could have to travel further for blood tests - as a growing number of family doctors in Devon stop offering them to all patients.
Richard Foord has been contacted by patients who were instead told to go through the hospital consultants who are managing them.
In response NHS Devon say some practices have opted out - following a review - as they no longer feel it is viable but stress they have specialist clinics and patients will still get tests if needed.
Richard Foord, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth said: “I understand that it is a funding problem, that one quarter of GP surgeries in Devon are no longer able to afford providing this service without putting other services at risk - because their costs are no longer fully covered.
“I am worried about the impact on unwell constituents of them having to travel, even if they have the means of getting themselves to the hospital. Many won’t of course. In particular, I am concerned about the effect of frequent visits to a large hospital on immuno-compromised patients, or those who are very weak.
“We have five community hospitals in the Honiton and & Sidmouth constituency which are run by the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, so I have written to Chief Executive, Sam Higginson, asking him what the Trust’s plans are for running local blood test clinics, to avoid unnecessary travel for very unwell people. It’s essential that we make the most of our valued local community hospitals.”
A spokesperson for NHS Devon responded by saying: “We want to reassure patients that NHS Devon and the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been working closely together to ensure patients in east Devon can continue to access blood tests requested by a hospital clinician in their local community.
"There are now community phlebotomy clinics provided by the Royal Devon for patients in east Devon including in Axminster, Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary.”
The spokesperson added that 'following a review of services some GP practices have opted to no longer provide the service on behalf of secondary care as they feel it is no longer viable' but stressed 'GP requested blood tests will continue in the practices as normal'.
They also added that 'sometimes arrangements are made with local primary care providers for hospital requested blood tests to be provided by a GP practice on behalf of the hospital which requested them. Such arrangements are in place in parts of Devon'.
Clinics are provided by the Royal Devon in the following community hospital locations:
• Torrington
• Holsworthy
• Bideford
• Axminster
• Sidmouth
• Ottery St Mary
• Whipton
• Cullompton
• Tiverton
• Okehampton