Tallaght Hospital in Dublin, Ireland is one of the biggest hospitals in the country. As we read in Independent.ie, a group of patients has raised concerns that those in need of various blood tests may now be reluctant to take them as the hospital decided to charge €2.50 (about $3,40) per blood test booking.
However, even though patients are now required to make an appointment for their blood tests, one can book a blood test with the hospital online.
Online appointments are made free of charge but if someone has no Internet connection or is otherwise unable to use the online system, he/she will have to call a premium phone-line charging a flat rate of about $3,00 (from a land-line) and up to $3,40 (from a mobile phone). The hospital’s Adult Phlebotomy Department said that the new system applies to both GPs and patients.
Stephen McMahon is the chairman of the Irish Patient’s Association. He is concerned that some patients may miss vital blood tests fearing a big phone bill. However, the hospital claims that the new system significantly improves patient experience and reduces waiting times. As far as revenue goes, the hospital claims there has been no increase from phone bookings.
Read the whole story here.