According to today's Times ...
Hospitals and GPs have been told to stop non-essential blood tests amid a shortage of blood-collecting tubes. Genomics testing for unwell new-born babies, and as part of pre-natal screening or cancer diagnosis, should be prioritised over more routine tests, guidance issued by NHS England yesterday says.
Testing to ascertain vitamin D levels should be stopped "in all but very exceptional circumstances" ... routine wellness screening and allergy testing are described as "not a priority".
NHS bosses stressed that changes to testing should be made in consultation with individual patients" and added "it is important to make clear that tests that have been deferred will be carried out in the future where appropriate. As part of conversations with patients, it is important to make clear that routine tests will be deferred only where it is clinically safe to do so" [emphasis added; article then goes on and blames covid for increasing demand]
Well isn't that just all we need. Who is to determine whether those pesky free T4 and free T3 tests are clinically necessary or safe to abandon? Or indeed whether or when it is "appropriate" to re-instate them?
Given that they usually put all the blood into one tube anyway, if they're doing TSH (betcha that is deemed clinically essential) why not do all the others, including vit D at the same time?
And don't you love the reference to "conversations with patients" as if these happen rather than them telling us what they will and won't test even when there's no shortage of kit.
Rant over. If anyone on this forum experiences what this means in practice, can they please report back? x
Supplements and blood tests
Blood test thyroid medication 
Confusing Blood Test Results
Asking for blood tests
NHS not testing blood correctly
