Dear Patients,

​

We would like to inform you about a temporary disruption to laboratory services due to industrial action by pathology Biomedical Scientists at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Because of this action, laboratory processing capacity will be significantly reduced from Monday 9 March to Friday 13 March 2026 (inclusive).

​

What this means for you

To ensure that patients who need urgent testing continue to receive safe care, laboratories will be prioritising urgent and clinically critical tests only during this period.

As a result:

• Many routine blood tests may be postponed until after 13 March 2026.

• If your blood test is for routine monitoring (for example stable long-term conditions or medication monitoring where it is safe to delay), your appointment may be rescheduled.

• Only patients who require clinically urgent tests will be asked to attend during this time.

​

​

Phlebotomy Blood test appointments:

During the week 9–13 March 2026, we will be reducing available blood test appointments by around 80%. This is necessary because laboratories will not have the capacity to process the usual number of samples.

If samples cannot be processed promptly, they may deteriorate even when stored correctly. To prevent inaccurate results and to protect patient safety, samples that cannot be processed may have to be discarded, meaning patients would need to have their blood taken again. Reducing appointments helps avoid this situation.

If your test is not urgent:

• The pathology team may contact you to rearrange your appointment.

• You may also be asked to book a new appointment after 13 March 2026.

​

After the industrial action:

We are working with the hospital pathology service to manage the backlog safely. Additional blood test capacity is expected to be available later in March to help accommodate patients whose tests were delayed.

​

What you should do:

Please attend your blood test appointment only if you have been advised that your test is urgent.

• If you are unsure whether your blood test is urgent, contact the practice before attending.

• If your appointment is postponed, we will help you rebook at the earliest appropriate time.

• ​

Thank you for your understanding. We understand that delays to routine testing can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience while services operate at reduced capacity. These temporary measures are necessary to ensure that patients who need urgent care continue to receive safe and timely testing.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

​

Kind regards,

The Upstairs Surgery