There is a new way for patients to book blood tests at Horton General Hospital.

The procedure for booking appointments for routine blood tests is undergoing a transformation aimed at improving the timings and the overall efficiency in clinics.

From Monday, July 15, the hospital will begin using the digital portal, DrDoctor, already used by several NHS trusts to keep patients up to date with appointment details and care.

Previously, the hospital has had a 'walk-in' model which recently has been a cause for overcrowding during peak periods.

The introduction of the DrDoctor platform will allow appointments to be evenly spread throughout the day, effectively mitigating the overcrowding issue and creating a better experience for both patients and staff.

Medical professionals, including General Practitioners and hospital staff, will be required to use the DrDoctor platform when referring patients for blood tests at the Horton.

For patients who are unable to use DrDoctor, alternate options for booking appointments include calling the hospital directly on 01865 222128 or seeking assistance from the staff at the hospital.

However, those patients needing blood samples processed within one hour before a clinic appointment are exempted from using the pre-booking service.

More specifics about the blood testing service at the Horton can be found on the Oxford University Hospitals website.