9th June 2025
Dear Patients,
Important Update: Changes to Blood Test (Phlebotomy) Services
We’re writing to inform you about important changes to how blood tests are arranged and carried out at GP practices. These changes have been mandated by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and apply to all local GP practices. GP practices are now responsible for managing most blood test requests made by your GP. In some cases, we can also carry out a very limited number of blood tests requested by hospital consultants.
Hospital (Consultant) Blood Tests
We are only funded to provide up to 5% of blood tests requested by hospitals or consultants. This means in most cases, if a hospital doctor has requested a blood test, you will need to attend the hospital for it. We can only carry out a hospital requested test at the practice if capacity allows, and the request is clinically appropriate and comes with the correct paperwork.
If you are unhappy with this arrangement, please note that these limits have been set by the ICB, not the GP practice.
Other key information:
- Routine GP blood tests: offered within 2 weeks.
- Urgent GP blood tests: within 2 working days.
- Very urgent tests: same day, if clinically necessary.
Who this service does not include:
- Housebound patients under the community nursing team.
- Patients registered with a different practice.
- Private medical or insurance blood tests.
- Children under 12, or children with additional needs/difficult venepuncture (referred to hospital.)
We appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions about your individual blood test needs, please speak to a member of our reception or clinical team.
If you wish to make a complaint:
About this policy or GP-based blood test limits:
Contact the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB Customer Care Team:
Phone: 0800 032 24 24
Email: customer.care@lancashireandsouthcumbria.nhs.uk
Website: www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/contact-us/customer-care-team
About hospital or consultant blood test arrangements:
Contact the Patient Experience and PALS Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals:
Phone: 01772 522 972
Email: PALS@lthtr.nhs.uk
Website: www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/patient-experience-and-pals
Yours faithfully
Craig Lee
Business Manager
For and on behalf of Library House Surgery