GP wants to charge for blood test

[VeryScary]

Hi everyone,

I got a phone call out of the blue from a hospital transplant unit to say I was being contacted as a potential stem cell donor for a relative (who I haven’t seen for over 10 years).

They told me to get a blood test done at my GP to see whether I was the right tissue type. I contacted the surgery today and they said this would be a private procedure that I would have to pay them for. Surely that can’t be right? Anyone on here ever been in a similar situation?

They can charge and you can normally claim the costs back from some of the charities that do the work for stem cell transplants (Anthony Nolan and DKMS). Speak to whoever you signed up with and they should be able to confirm if they will let you claim the costs back.

It is a bit tight of the GP in my moral opinion but I can see why they do it.

I had similar contact as on the bone marrow register and the gp surgery did it for free and did it urgently. I had paperwork and blood bottles from the organisation, can’t remember the name now. Can they help? The charity which organises the register

Anthony Nolan, that’s it.

This has come from the hospital where my relative is currently. I haven’t signed up to any of the donor registers (too old!). This was completely out of the blue.

Speak to the hospital. They may be able to do it for you if you want to help. Do not feel forced to donate if you don't want to. It's a big decision to make.

I chose to go on the list as I can't donate blood anymore (had 2 transfusions) so this is my way of giving back.

What a cynical response from the GP

Is this a Group and Save to check your blood type?
I've been a GP for 11 years and we can't actually request that test.

We would do it if provided with a form and we had relevant bottle but can't actually request it on our system.
That may be the actual problem so it may need to go to a private lab hence GP saying chargeable

I’ve got the form and the vials - the hospital sent me a complete kit. I guess I’ll have to go up to the surgery. Frustratingly, they won’t even make me an appointment until I’ve gone in in person and paid and then I’ll have to go back again for the appointment, which is delaying it all. The whole process so far has been a bit of a disaster to be honest.

Have the hospital provided the complete kit including the needles to take the blood, and do you need to send it yourself back to the hospital? If so, it might be worth asking around if you know anyone who could do it for you. Do you know any nurses or phlebotomists?

Agh, ok.
That does seem mean then!
How much are they charging you?
Because if you have the vial and form the surgery won't be charged for the test so you should only be paying for 5 mins of phlebotomy time.
I'd challenge this, wonder if reception has wrong end of stick.
We do charge privately for some bloods but not for 5 min of phlebo time in this scenario!

Is it too far to go to the hospital?

Well we'll pay for everything when the nhs has gone.

Well we'll pay for everything when the nhs has gone.

🙄

Thought that's what mumsnetters are always advocating for !!

My local gp surgery wouldn't do hospital blood requests, for two reasons. Firstly. They are they’re not funded for it, and secondly, it was done thing to do with getting the results.

Possibly the gp thought it was coming from a private consultant, hence the charge?

Unfortunately, yes, it’s too far to go to the hospital - nearly 200 miles.

Update - I’m finally booked in for a blood test on Monday! The hospital spoke to the surgery and they’ve agreed to do it. Thanks for the advice - it helped.

You would expect them to communicate in the first place but glad it's sorted