Shropshire Star

Shropshire cash saved as children's blood service extended

A new community blood service has been extended for another six months and could save more than £30,000 for healthcare in the region.

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The service aims to remove the need for children to go to hospital to have bloods taken.

Health bosses say the Community Paediatric Phlebotomy Service, funded by Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has significantly improved the care of children who need a blood test in the borough.

Dr Michael Innes, chairman of Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: "For many families of sick children, or children with conditions that require regular blood monitoring, having to go into hospital to have blood taken can create added pressure at a time when things are already difficult.

"It can also be costly to the NHS, so providing a community service was a way to improve the service in a number of ways.

"The service has been a great success, and while it has saved money, we are mostly proud of the improvements it has made to the care our patients received."

The service began in September with a clinic every Thursday between 9.30am and 11.15am at Donnington Health Centre.

Between September to December savings of £15,024 were made as a result of children not attending hospital for their blood to be taken. This new service is projected to save £30,469, which can be reinvested in other care.

Chief Officer David Evans said: "We're thrilled to be able to extend a high -quality new service like this that is proving so popular and successful and delivers clear benefits to the people of Telford & Wrekin."

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