Table of Contents
- 1 Is there still a shortage of blood test?
- 2 Is there a shortage of blood in UK?
- 3 Are GP surgeries doing blood tests?
- 4 Are GPs doing blood tests?
- 5 What does each blood tube test for?
- 6 Is there a worldwide shortage of blood tubes?
- 7 How will the supply chain disruption affect your blood test?
- 8 What is the government doing about the blood tube shortage?
Is there still a shortage of blood test?
Non-urgent blood testing in England and Wales is set to fully resume next month after it was scaled back due to a lack of vials. In a memo sent to staff in August, the NHS told doctors to slow down regular blood tests following a shortage of the tubes supplied by US company Becton Dickinson.
Is there a shortage of blood in UK?
NHS England and NHS Wales have reported a shortage of blood collection tubes. This is due to a global shortage which is expected to last until the middle of September. As a result, GP services have temporarily stopped all non-urgent blood tests, and hospitals have tight restrictions on the blood tests they can do.
Why is there a shortage of bottles for blood tests?
The shortage has arisen because Becton Dickinson, the NHS’s main supplier of blood collection tubes, has not been able to keep up with demand for its products. A company spokesperson also cited other reasons.
Why is there a tube shortage?
The shortages of these tubes have occurred due to several recalls, along with unprecedented levels of demand for citrate products following surges in COVID-19 infection rates, COVID-19 vaccines, and treatment development.
Are GP surgeries doing blood tests?
The GP Surgery offers private blood tests taken and interpreted by a doctor and analysed by a premier Central London laboratory. We guarantee the rapid turnaround of results from accurate venous blood tests.
Are GPs doing blood tests?
21st century GP services Phlebotomy (blood tests) is not a service provided by all GPs and GPs individually decide on whether or not their practice will provide this additional service.
What blood type is most in demand?
Types O negative and O positive are in high demand. Only 7\% of the population are O negative. However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37\% of the population).
What are the reasons you can’t give blood?
Persons with the following conditions are not allowed to donate blood anyime:
- Cancer.
- Cardiac disease.
- Sever lung disease.
- Hepatitis B and C.
- HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
- High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution)
- Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months.
- Chronic alcoholism.
What does each blood tube test for?
Blood Collection Tubes
| Tube cap color | Additive | Common laboratory tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender or pink | Potassium EDTA | Hematology and blood bank |
| Gray | Sodium fluoride, and sodium or potassium oxalate | Glucose (especially when testing will be delayed), blood alcohol, lactic acid |
Is there a worldwide shortage of blood tubes?
There is currently a global shortage of blood test tubes for the next few months. In response to this, we are unable to carry out routine blood tests with immediate effect until the supply issue has been resolved.
Is there a shortage of blood samples on the NHS?
GPs have been told to stop performing most blood tests until mid-September, and hospitals to cut their number by 25\%, as the NHS grapples with an acute shortage of sample bottles.
Why is there a global shortage of blood vials?
There are currently global shortages of blood tube products and company Becton Dickinson – which makes vials for the health service – is among those facing serious supply chain issues. Becton Dickinson said it had seen record demand for its blood collection tubes in recent months, partly driven by the need for tests for Covid patients.
How will the supply chain disruption affect your blood test?
A disruption in the supply chain of tubes used in blood tests by the NHS could impact a number of patients. A global supply chain issue has led to doctors being told that all clinically necessary tests can go ahead but others will have to be scaled back.
What is the government doing about the blood tube shortage?
The government says it is working flat out with the supplier. There are currently global shortages of blood tube products and company Becton Dickinson – which makes vials for the health service – is among those facing serious supply chain issues.