The launch of additional children’s phlebotomy clinics within the community is helping to speed up waiting times and allowing patients to receive more care closer to home.

Cwm Taf University Health Board set up two clinics at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda and Ysbyty Cwm Cynon after the phlebotomy clinics at Prince Charles and Royal Glamorgan Hospitals found it difficult to meet high levels of demand for the service.

The clinics take referrals for blood tests for investigations or checks from both hospitals and GP surgeries, so they receive a significant number of requests for the service.

The clinic at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon runs on Mondays from 12.30-3.30pm as drop-in service and takes referrals from consultants and GPs, while the Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Clinic runs on Fridays from 12.30pm-3.30pm; also as a drop-in service.

Both community clinics are currently seeing around 15-20 children and young people per session, which is helping to reduce waits for the service.

Gail Clack, Senior Nurse Children’s Community Nursing, said:

“The clinics in acute care were becoming stretched as they were receiving a lot of requests and could only take so many cases a day so we did some work to set up the clinics in YCC and YCR to help to address the waiting lists.

“Since we launched the clinics in the community they have become really busy – as soon as we open the door they fill up. It’s certainly lessened the impact on secondary care and it’s good for patients as they are getting seen closer to home.”

The service is now looking at other ways it can help to meet demand including training Healthcare Support Workers to be able to take bloods for children.