The Southend Echo recently wrote an article and editorial on my views of the pathology changes. Whilst the article was broadly correct, the headline and title used neither reflected my view, or the interview I gave. Therefore, the Southend Echo have today printed a retraction.
I firmly believe that it is absolutely right for the Doctors and specifically in this case Clinical Commissioning Groups to make the final decisions on these matters. As a result, I am not sure that the Southend Echo running a campaign against the move is entirely the right thing to do. It is unfortunate the communication around this piece of work within the NHS has been poor resulting in different parts of the NHS debating via the media. I have met with Doctors, Phlebotomists, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, and the Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust. In addition I have spoken to the Chief Executive of Southend Hospital and have today written to her offering a meeting with the phlebotomy department at the hospital.
You can view the full Echo apology here.
