Blood tests: Book your appointment online, Princess Alexandra Hospital urges patients

Patients in the Bishop's Stortford area are being urged to book their blood test appointments online rather than by phone or email.

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) launched its virtual blood test appointment system on Monday (October 12) in a bid to maximise the number of tests it can offer whilst continuing to maintain social distancing in waiting areas.

The trust operates PAH in Harlow as well as outpatient and diagnostic services at Herts and Essex Community Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping and Cheshunt Community Hospital.

Patients can book their appointments via the ‘blood tests’ page of the PAHT website .

Under the new booking system – named Swiftqueue – patients will be asked to create an account and follow the on-screen instructions to arrange their appointment. Minimal information is required to set this up: an email address, their name and date of birth.

If patients arrive at any PAHT hospital without a pre-booked appointment, they will be allocated the next available slot on arrival. This could be later in the day or a different day during busy times, so all appointments should be pre-booked online.

If anyone needs any help navigating the system, call 01279 827163. Alternatively, contact the PAHT pathology department on 01279 827030.

Visit www.pah.nhs.uk/our-services/service/blood-tests-30 to book your test .