James Cunningham

|

COVENTRY MP TAKES LOCAL BLOOD CLINIC CHANGES TO HEALTH SECRETARY

JIM Cunningham MP today asked the Secretary of State for Health to investigate the closure of local community blood clinics in Coventry.
The Coventry South MP has tabled Parliamentary Questions to Patricia Hewitt on the decision to move all blood testing away from community clinics to the University Hospital at Walsgrave and the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital.
Mr Cunningham took action having sent a letter on the matter to Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust on January 17.
Blood testing at neighbourhood clinics ended when the Primary Care Trust decided the service at 14 clinics across the city should be halted to save money.
Mr Cunningham said: “I’m concerned with how the changes the blood testing scheme in Coventry will hit patients and staff.
“Many elderly and ill patients now have to travel further to get to the tests, then face lengthy queues when they get there.
“Hospital workers also have more people to treat and I have a great deal of sympathy for their situation.
“I wrote to Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust on January 17 seeking details of why the decision to halt community blood testing was taken and seeking reassurances on how patients would be affected. Unfortunately I have yet to receive a reply.
“It is clear this is an important matter and, as a result, I have today tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions to Patricia Hewitt on the matter. I look forward hearing what she has to say.”