News

Residents of Deal and the surrounding areas will be able to access blood tests at Victoria Hospital, Deal from 27 October 2025. 

The new community phlebotomy service will be provided by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and will complement routine blood tests already available through general practice, increasing local access to testing.

There is no change to the routine and diagnostic blood tests currently offered by general practices, which now offer more blood testing appointments than ever before. However, the introduction of this service at Victoria Hospital will provide additional appointments for specific needs.

The specialist service will launch in two phases, with phase one running  four days within the first month and including:

• Urgent testing - tests that need to be prioritised due to clinical urgency.
• Difficult venipuncture - also referred to as 'difficulty obtaining a blood sample', often due to factors like small or fragile veins.
• Fasting - where the patient must avoid food and drink for a specified period before the blood test.
• Glucose tolerance testing - a specific test that measures the body's response to sugar over time.

 The second phase, incorporating a children's clinic, is planned for January 2026.

All appointments will be available through referrals from GPs or other health professionals.

NHS Kent and Medway Chief Executive Paul Bentley, said: “General practice has worked hard to increase their appointments for blood testing locally. We recognised the strength of feeling locally and are pleased to have been able to add this new service to meet additional specific needs of the people of Deal.”

Mike Tapp, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “This is a very positive step forward for the delivery of local NHS services for local people. I welcome this announcement by NHS Kent and Medway and that it will be run by the dedicated staff at our local hospital in Deal.

“This reflects the hard work of all the local people who wanted local blood testing extended. I would particularly like to recognise the  Blood Health Action Group whose tireless efforts have made this possible”