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AIBU?

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Original poster

Elderly FIL and blood test

191 replies

ExitViaGiftShop · 03/12/2024 15:02

My elderly FIL had a blood test booked for yesterday, which was due to take place in the Phlebotomy dept of his local hospital. He turned up and when it was his turn, was told by the phlebotomist that they could not take his bloods because he had not brought his 'blood form' with him. This is a piece of paper which apparently details the type of blood test he needs. So, he had to go home and I've rebooked it for him.

Is this standard procedure or did he encounter a jobs worth? Surely all the info regarding his blood test is held on the NHS computer? It's 2024, not 1994! I'm really
annoyed that an 86 year old man was turned away and that the staff could not have found a solution to this non problem. AIBU?

OP posts:
shakeitoffsis · 03/12/2024 15:35

Completely standard procedure

Catza · 03/12/2024 15:33

MissMoneyFairy · 03/12/2024 15:30

Who ordered the blood test. Without a form they wouldn't know but in an ideal world they'd be a joined up system or quick call to the person who ordered the test

"A quick call" is as much of a unicorn as "the NHS computer". There is very little chance to get a hold of GP even on dedicated clinical line. Even outside of the GP practice, if a colleague from another department tries to call me, they would be very lucky to catch me at a time when I am not with a patient.

Blushingm · 03/12/2024 15:33

You need the form as it tells the phlebotomist which bloods are needed

mutleyschuckle · 03/12/2024 15:31

Standard. I'm not allowed to do your blood test if you don't have the paper form with you. & when I book them for patients I tell them lots of times to bring the form otherwise we can't do it. I think I over do it because my patients are children & it's extra stressful sometimes

MissMoneyFairy · 03/12/2024 15:30

Who ordered the blood test. Without a form they wouldn't know but in an ideal world they'd be a joined up system or quick call to the person who ordered the test

toomuchfaff · 03/12/2024 15:29

standard procedure. The form details what tests aka what bottles need filling.

If he didn't take the form, they don't know what bottles to fill as some tests require separate bottles as they have different stuff in them to "preserve" the blood, so it's clotted/not clotted etc.

No form, no blood test.

WiddlinDiddlin · 03/12/2024 15:28

Not only is there not a central system but some hospitals have several and in some places, hospitals that work together/share departments will have several systems, none of which talk to each other (Sheffield Northern and Hallam... I am looking at you!)

So yes someone should have explained he needed that bit of paper with him.

shellyleppard · 03/12/2024 15:27

Same with my hospital.....no form no blood test done

FadedRed · 03/12/2024 15:26

Yes, absolutely standard in every hospital/phlebotomy clinic I’ve attended or worked in.

olderbutwiser · 03/12/2024 15:22

There is no real single entity that is “The NHS”, let alone a centralised “The NHS Computer”. The NHS is a loose affiliation of different providers, different services, different commissioners, all with their own budgets and systems and paperwork. It’s nuts but will cost a fortune to fix.

WeRateSquirrels · 03/12/2024 15:22

Standard here too.

Cosyblankets · 03/12/2024 15:20

The blood form has a barcode on it.
Standard procedure but i do agree the system needs an overhaul

Jagoda · 03/12/2024 15:17

Standard in my trust. You have to get the form from GP and take it to appointment or they cannot do the test.

KeyWorker · 03/12/2024 15:16

There is no ‘NHS computer’. Diffrent Trusts and GP practices all use different programs. Also the request paper not only tells what blood to take (therefore which type of bottle to use) but also goes with the blood to the lab to show it’s been requested by an authorised clinician. It seems the person who gave him the form should possibly have explained that better to him.

itsmylife7 · 03/12/2024 15:15

completely standard.

Who booked the original blood test as they should be aware of the procedure.

Serencwtch · 03/12/2024 15:09

Standard procedure here.

They don't know what tests to do without it.

There's no such thing as 'The NHS computer' as they all use different systems.