Blood testing clinics at Queen's and King George Hospitals closed 4-10th Nov due to strike

The blood testing departments at Queen's and King George Hospitals will be closed next week to protect patients' safety while some biomedical scientists go out on strike in a row over new shift patterns.
Phlebotomist taking blood from a male patient

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), which runs both hospitals, announced today (Wednesday, October 30) that it will be closing the service to focus on running a safe service for inpatients and those brought into its emergency departments during the strike action.

That means that from Monday November 4 to Sunday November 10 drop-in blood testing clinics at Queen's Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford, and King George Hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes will be closed.

The dispute revolves around the introduction of a new 24/7 shift pattern at BHRUT's pathology department, where previously the trust had operated a voluntary overtime system. read more...

They will re-open at 9am on Monday 11 November.

The oncology and ante-natal and paediatric blood testing services at Queen’s Hospital will be open as usual, as well as the ante-natal and paediatric service at King George Hospital.

From Barking to Brentwood and Rainham to Romford, there are lots of places that offer blood testing.