A new online booking system for blood tests is a convenient alternative to phone bookings which were introduced earlier this year. Bookings have reduced wait times for patients and created more manageable workloads for staff.

“It’s great to be able to book. Wait times are appropriate and I got in to get my blood test within a minute of arriving for a blood test,” said Ronnie Brady.

The lab sees around 750-800 patients for blood tests each week, according to Southern Community Laboratories chief executive Peter Gootjes.

“In the past, at peak times, twenty pairs of eyes looked at staff when they came to call their next patient,” says Medlab South’s Nelson laboratory manager Rebecca Brosnan.

“That was very stressful for staff,” says Rebecca.

Although the booking system is still a work in progress, it has been a huge success with very reduced waiting times and Rebecca believes it will continue long term.

Although booking is encouraged, there will always be a place for ‘walk-ins’ as doctors refer patients for urgent blood tests. Appointments are structured so that if things go to plan there is space for some walk-ins.

“As with any walk-in service, there can be a wait,” said Rebecca. Staff were still under some pressure with those without a booking wanting to be seen as quickly as the booked patients are.

Staff have training in first aid and in reading situations. If someone is seriously ill, they will be triaged as urgent and be seen as soon as possible.

In response to staff answering a high number of phone calls for bookings, Medlab recently introduced an online booking system for routine blood tests.

“Online bookings will be a huge positive,” Rebecca Brosnan says.

She said it offers a 24/7 platform where people can check their schedule and make a booking without a phone call.

Online bookings can be made on medlabsouth.co.nz, find a collection centre, then click on the blue link.