Can GPs refuse to do bloods?

ladybug89

My husband has made an appointment with his GP for a general checkup for this Tuesday. He asked specifically for routine bloods as he hasn't had bloods done for 5+ years. He's told them this. They've said they don't have the time/resources to do bloods for him this week. I can't think of how else they can do a general checkup- surely blood pressure and bloods are the main checks? 50euros is a lot of money if they only check blood pressure. Can they actually refuse to do bloods like this? My own GP has never refused to do bloods. It takes 5 minutes. He also explained that he is rarely off on a weekday, so this will be his only opportunity for a while. I feel like we should complain to someone as this is the second time this has happened at his GP. Should he complain and to whom?

Rows Grower

Has he tried complaining to his GP?

SuperBowserWorld

My local surgery, there is a nurse who does this and she is WAY better than the doctor, and it's cheaper too. Then the doctor does a call back when the results arrive back, included in the price. Or at least it was 6 months ago. Maybe it's all gone to hell here too.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319345/can-gps-refuse-to-do-bloods

Why not just get him to go to your doctor.

Strumms

Nurse & physiotherapist at my GPs surgery do blood tests and administer vaccines.

id not be impressed by any doctor or surgery refusing care or tests required by a patient… if they are ‘too busy’ they’ve too many patients…greed again.

blackbox

Where did you find a GP that only charges 50 Euro?

ladybug89

@Rows Grower He let them know he wasnt happy when making the appointment - they didn't budge. He didn't complain directly to the GP - he will see him tomorrow for about 15 minutes. Do you think it would be worthwhile to use that short window of time to do that? IMO, the GP would already be aware of the policies of the practice.

@SuperBowserWorld My GP is the same. It's super.

@con747 It's not easy to find a doc or change docs. I've been with mine for almost 20 years. We tried to get him in there as a patient a few years ago, but they weren't taking on new patients at that time.

@Strumms Agreed - not at all impressed. Not sure what to do.

ladybug89

@blackbox Rural Ireland

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121276683#Comment_121276683

You are paying for a private service yes? Then I would insist on taking bloods. I can see no reason why they wouldn't and if it was me I would be getting it done. Maybe I'm away with the fairies but that's how I would approach it.

The way it works in my GP practice, over which I have had many criticisms. I visit GP over this or that and might suggest to him a bloods screening. He would often agree if I haven’t had it done in a year. I pay him the requisite €65 for a GP visit. Then I have to return for a GP Nurse visit to get the requisite bloods which is €40 last time I did it. That’s €105 total. I get an email of blood results with anything out of kilter highlighted with a red asterisk. Might require another €65 visit if I deem it is worth it. Occasionally the doctor might discuss blood aberrations over the phone.

Best GP in service I’ve come across in Ireland is Caseys of Clifden, encountered on holidays. Just a different class of service.

On a practical note, bloods must be taken shortly ahead of courier collection for delivery to laboratory. The job is most often left to practice nurse who coordinates this in accordance with collection time. If a GP doesn’t have a practice nurse this service often dies not exist at the practice.

Ezeoul

I think the GP gets to decide what service they provide.

In my surgery, GPs wouldn't take bloods at a routine appointment. They'd either give you the phlebotomy form and you book a GP Bloods appointment online at the nearest hospital - or alternatively, make an appointment for the practice nurse to take the bloods (usually for an extra charge) and they'll ring with results (or not, if all is fine).

cap.in.hand.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121276691#Comment_121276691

€70 rural Ireland but does include a blood sample by doc

witchgirl26

My GP will rarely take bloods himself as (in his own words) he's not great at it compared with the nurse. I would never just have a general check up - I'm only there if something is wrong. I do have to get bloods done once a year as standard so I usually just ring the GP & make an appointment with the nurse for bloods. The receptionist will usually ask if the GP has ordered them (which is fair enough as that's their policy) & in that case I tell them that they're the annual bloods I need but happy to discuss with the GP over the phone. Sometimes that's fine, other times I'm on hold while they double check with the GP.

Nurse does the bloods. Results emailed to me & GP normally does a quick call to discuss if anything outside normal range.

GP's do not have to provide a service to take bloods. In fact I know a couple where if you need bloods, you're giving a referral to the phlebotomy clinic in hospital to have them done.

horse7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121276768#Comment_121276768

On line blood tests appointments are 2 to 3 months waiting list in Dublin area.

bringinghomethebeercan

In my GP they only have blood tests available until 12.30 or something. A courier then takes them to the hospital. No bloods are taken after that time.

In my GPs practice, all bloods are done by the nurse and while they try to facilitate appointments next to one's doctor appointment, it's not always possible.

Also bear in mind it's Flu and Covid booster injection season right now for some cohorts of society so that'll be taking up some of their time too.

You also don't have to get bloods done by the GP. You can just get a referral letter to get them done in the hospital directly, which is free.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121277327#Comment_121277327

I'm aware it is at some hospitals.

The waiting time depends very much on where you book and if bloods are fasting or non-fasting.

Swiftqueue is great for finding appointments. It's like the NCT. If you check late in the evening you'll find cancellations.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121276722#Comment_121276722

Mines similar to this. Its shocking. Then they have a two week window before they recharge you as different issue.

YellowLead

My gp wouldn’t take bloods on demand like that - you have to make a separate appointment to come back for the nurse to take them.

ladybug89

@con747 Yes, and I completely agree with you. He has already insisted over the phone but he will have to try same in person today.

ladybug89

@YellowLead It is not "on demand" - it's an appointment made a week in advance.

ladybug89

Thank you @Flinty997 Totally agree - it's just shocking. Have you complained?

ladybug89

@bringinghomethebeercan this is helpful, thanks.

ladybug89

Thanks, everyone. I've realised my own GP practice provides an above-average service and have learned a few things here that are helpful for my husband to know going forward.

GAAcailin

MY GP doesn't take bloods either as I imagine most don't. You have to make a separate appointment with the practice nurse; the clinic also won't allow us to book a GP visit followed by a nurse visit (for bloods) as the GP has to specify which blood tests are required (or if any are required at all). All bloods tests are taken by the practice nurse before 11am; they are sent by courier up to the hospital then. The GP visit is €65 and bloodwork is €45 which covers the admin of the procedure. Its a bit of a black hole then how the results are fed back to the patient; I have had them call me and on one occasion when he was looking for a 'special' test for a particular illness I made an appointment to go back and see him (had another issue too so was worth paying for the visit); he spent a good while going through the results which I found useful. The processing of the blood test by the hospital is a free service but GP's can't be sending in bloods every other week when not really required.

My friend who lives on the other side of the city attends a GP who gives her a form and she goes to her local hospital and the blood tests are completely free. My clinic doesn't offer this and I have never asked.

Also - not sure how much of a general check-up a GP can do within the standard 10/15 minute consultation. Our clinic has separate pricing and time allocation for a type of well woman/well man check .

Good luck

YellowLead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121277480#Comment_121277480

But the appointment wasn’t made to take bloods - it was a regular appointment?

Apologies of i have read this wrong

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121276677#Comment_121276677

The country's full of them. €50 is the norm here and €25 for the nurse doing bloods or injections etc.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121277482#Comment_121277482

Yes. Plan on switching. Just not got to it yet.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121277437#Comment_121277437

Very recently I got the GP visit card because of a number of issues including MS, so going forward won’t have to pay for a plain visit the GP himself. Howe et I’ve returned to GP for same thing within two weeks, always got charged the full whack again. Years back they were more generous, especially one of the GP partners with a socialist mindset who now works in the Liberties, he used to give me discounts as hoc if he thought I was experiencing a lot of stuff 😁

Shield

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058319345/can-gps-refuse-to-do-bloods

Mod: Moved to Consumer Issues. You must verify your account by clicking on the link we sent to your email if you wish to continue posting in this discussion.

https://www.boards.ie/categories/consumer-issues.

Thanks.

-Shield