'Outrageous and unacceptable': Patients face long trips for blood tests after 'resolution not found'

Bishop's Castle Medical Practice has announced that it won't be extending its service beyond tomorrow as health chiefs confirmed that there has not been a solution yet.

Patients have been told that they will have to book blood tests at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital - a round trip of 44 miles away - or at the Princess Royal Hospital, in Telford - a round trip of 72 miles.

One town resident who contacted the Shropshire Star said: "It will be near impossible to make the round journey or to endure the length of time it would take.

"It is outrageous and unacceptable that this basic clinical test cannot be done by our GP or nurse. Its cessation cannot to be allowed to happen."

A spokesperson for the medical practice posted on social media: "Unfortunately, despite ongoing discussions with NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, a suitable resolution has not yet been found to enable the phlebotomy service to continue from here after June 25.

"While we are still hopeful that a local solution will be found, we must ask for now, that all patients who need a blood test attend the Path Lab at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, or the Community Diagnostic Clinics in either Telford or Whitchurch."