A COUPLE have to make a 10-mile round trip for a blood test because their doctors’
surgery doesn’t offer them.
Now Trevor and Patricia Woodhead have questioned why it can’t be done at the practice yards away from their Waterloo home.
Instead, they have been forced to make multiple trips to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary at Lindley over the last 20 months for Mrs Woodhead’s routine blood tests.
Mr Woodhead, 62, said: “It’s strange that we can’t get blood tests done at Waterloo surgery when the smaller surgery in Kirkheaton does them.
“We have to drive all the way up to the hospital to get a blood test, which takes three minutes once you are eventually seen.”
Mrs Woodhead, 64, is unable to walk far, which means her husband has to drive her to the surgery. He then has to take her to the hospital once she has been referred.
He added: “The surgery says it is because they haven’t got enough funding. Well I think they should have money for something like a simple blood test.”
Mrs Woodhead’s health has got worse over the past 20 months and although doctors have not been able to establish the cause, she is set to undergo a bone marrow investigation and needs regular blood tests.
Mr Woodhead said: “The doctor told me to write to the NHS to complain because they just don’t have the money.
“If I was in work I’d have been fired for the amount of time I’d need off for this.”
A spokesperson for Kirklees Primary Care Trust said: “Phlebotomy services are available, by appointment, at Mill Hill Health Centre, which is a short distance away.
“However, if a blood test is needed urgently GPs at Waterloo Health Centre may refer patients to the phlebotomy clinic at the Royal Infirmary where there are daily drop-in sessions for blood tests, Monday to Saturday.
“Patients are reminded that if they have any difficulties travelling to the hospital for their blood tests they can speak to the practice manager at the surgery to raise their concerns in the first instance.”
