Dear Patients

Problems with an NHS supplier, Roche, has led to a temporary shortage in some of the chemicals we use to process blood test results. This is a national problem and Roche is working hard to resolve this.

We are doing everything we can to reduce the impact on our patients, but unfortunately, this is making it difficult to complete some blood tests at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). 

Temporarily, we are continuing to prioritise clinically urgent tests, but this this means that if you are having a regular blood test it may be delayed. We are very sorry about this.

We have the following advice for our patients:

1. If you have been told your blood test is urgent, please attend your booked appointment without delay
2. If you have been told your blood test is not urgent, please try and re-book in around two weeks’ time.
3. If you are not sure whether your test is urgent or not, please get in touch with the GP or consultant who asked you to have the test

We appreciate this is frustrating for patients and we’re grateful for everyone’s patience while we work hard to resolve this issue. We will keep everyone updated. We do understand that this may worry you and is very inconvenient, so please do get in touch with our PALS team if you wish to discuss this further. Their number is:

0800 389 6819 (option 1)

Kind regards

Ipswich & East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Team