Issued on behalf of NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

13 September 2021

Patients in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are being reminded that only urgent clinical blood tests are going ahead because of a global shortage of blood bottles.

Patients should not turn up for blood test appointments if they have been cancelled.

NHS England (NHSE) has requested all providers take action to reduce the use of blood bottles because of the shortage.

Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems will still get one, but where your clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.

Any patients affected by the decision will have been contacted and informed of the action required.

Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available.

Claire Parker, Director of Partnerships at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: “Patients are reminded that only urgent clinical blood tests are taking place at this time. If your blood test appointment has been cancelled please do not turn up.

“The global shortage of blood bottles has meant that there is no option but to preserve our supplies of the bottles for urgent and emergency care.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

The online booking service operated by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is temporarily unavailable because of the shortage.

Further information will be posted on this website, and the CCG and Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) websites as it becomes available.