PATIENTS have complained blood tests in Dorset have been cancelled and are concerned more people will get ill as a result.

One patient had two blood tests cancelled in the space of two weeks, with the third attempt booked on November 10, six weeks after their GP requested it.

The patient said the office manager at their surgery read a “memo” from Poole Hospital explaining that the tests were cancelled because of a lack of supply, apart from in a clinical emergency.

They said: “How would they know it was an emergency, without a blood test first?

“This is happening in our area and I thought that others should be made aware of what is happening.

“I do appreciate that Covid infections are increasing and hospital numbers are rising, but many people will die or become seriously ill with diseasesother than Covid.

“If we are in a medium risk area, why is our local hospital turning patients away?

“This is really a poor situation to be in, with apparently no end in sight.”

Another patient had a test booked at their surgery for November 2 cancelled.

They receieved a text from the surgery which read: “We have been advised there is a nation wide problem which is causing pathology labs not being able to process blood tests.

“We will be adding you to a waiting list and as soon as the problem is resolved we will be calling.”

Dr Ravinder Sodi, consultant clinical biochemist at the University Hospitals Dorset Trust, said: “There has been a national supply issue facing clinical laboratories using chemicals for biochemistry tests.

“This has affected some laboratory testing. In an effort to manage limited supplies, affected laboratories have had to prioritise testing of urgent tests from the emergency department and critical care wards.

“During this time, we have asked general practices to restrict testing for routine monitoring. This has not impacted on urgent tests which have continued throughout in the usual manner, and suppliers are working to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

“We would like to reassure anyone who may have had an appointment delayed that we are working hard to restore our usual routine testing service.”