Sefton residents will be able to arrange blood tests online with the launch of a new appointment system aimed to ease the demand on existing services following the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the height of the pandemic, the service was suspended and revised to comply with social distancing measures and, after making a phased return to operation, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are now addressing the backlog of patients needing tests and issues with callers getting through to book appointments.

Sara Harrison, head of operations for North West Boroughs in Sefton, said: “We’d like to apologise to anyone who has struggled to get through for a blood test in recent weeks and we believe the introduction of this new online booking system will provide patients with additional options to book their appointment.

“We experienced unprecedented challenges within the service during the COVID-19 pandemic and our colleagues in Mersey Care, who manage the patient booking line, have taken steps to address that by recruiting additional call handlers and clinical staff.

“We’ve re-opened various sites across Sefton and have plans to open more sites over the coming weeks. Sefton patients also have the option to attend a Drive Thru Phlebotomy Clinic in Liverpool if they are able to travel.

“The NHS has worked hard to provide essential services for patients during this period and continues to restore services when they can be done safely for staff and patients. This includes introducing different ways of providing our services and we believe this new online booking system will offer patients additional options to book their blood test appointment.”

Once referred for a blood test, patients can still book an appointment through Mersey Care’s Central Management Office, which is open 8am until 4pm from Monday to Friday on 0151 295 3400 option 4.

The new patient online booking system is live from 1 September 2020 and should provide flexibility, patient choice with time slots and access to different clinic sites.

To book a blood test, click here

If you are no longer able to come to your booked appointment, please access your booking confirmation where you will be able to cancel your appointment and rearrange another more convenient time. This will allow us to offer your original appointment to another patient.

As part of the phased reopening of services, blood tests are available for Sefton booked appointments at the following clinics:

In addition to the above clinic times, GPs are also able to make additional patient appointments Monday to Friday for urgent blood requests that they require within 24 hours. Only your GP Surgery can access these urgent slots so please speak to them if you think you need a more urgent appointment.

You can find out more about this service at: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/sefton-phlebotomy

Please note, NHS South Sefton CCG does not organise booking blood tests. If you would like to book a blood test, please use the following link: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/mybloodtest