PATIENTS have been facing a longer wait for blood tests at Basingstoke hospital because of pressures on GP surgeries.

An increased number of patients have been sent by their GPs for blood tests at the hospital, in Aldermaston Road, which has resulted in lengthy delays.

Mary Edwards, chief executive of Basingstoke hospital, admitted that the waiting time for blood tests has increased, adding: "We are very sorry to our patients."

She explained that this was due partly to an "increased number of patients coming to us" adding: "We understand GPs are advising their patients to come to the hospitals for their blood tests and we are in conversation with the clinical group that commissions the blood test services both at the hospital and in the community, about this.

"We are doing our best to see patients as quickly as possible and are training more staff to help with the increased demand. We are sorry to our patients who are waiting longer than usual."

North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), based at Chineham Business Park, explained that GPs are sending patients to the hospital rather than take on the additional work themselves.

A statement from the CCG said: "All our GPs continue to carry out all the blood tests that they are required to carry out - which is all those blood tests that relate to any care being provided by the GP.

"Where a patient is receiving hospital care, it is the hospital's responsibility to carry out any blood tests relating to that care. When a consultant or other hospital based clinician requests a blood test, the accepted procedure is that the blood test will be carried out at the hospital.

"At their own discretion, our GPs can offer patients receiving hospital care the opportunity to have their blood taken at the surgery. However, if taking this additional work on is going to put undue pressure on GP services, then it is entirely appropriate that the tests are carried out at the hospital."