Warning issued over private over-the-counter blood tests

Doctors have voiced their concerns about the use of private blood tests purchased online or over the counter that promise to help people “take control of their health”.

 

The British Medical Association warned some of the tests were unregulated and put additional pressure on GPs left to reassure their patients.

 

The news comes following a BMJ report which found some companies were making misleading claims about what their tests could identify.

 

Dr Preeti Shukla, GP committee clinical and prescribing lead at the BMA, said GPs and their colleagues were already facing unprecedented and unsustainable pressure trying to meet the needs of their most vulnerable patients.

 

She said “The rise of private companies offering over-the-counter, unregulated blood tests that make dubious claims about what they can identify, is a real concern for GPs and their NHS colleagues, who are the ones who are often left to interpret results and reassure their patients.”

 

Dr Shukla added that providing people with test results with no explanation, context or follow-up arrangements can cause “unnecessary worry and anxiety”,

 

She went on to explain “It puts GPs in an incredibly difficult position if they are asked to interpret and explain results of tests that the have not initiated, and make decisions based on them.”

 

A spokesperson for NHS England said “At a time when GP teams are delivering tens of millions of appointments every month, additional pressure should not be put on their workload from potentially misleading information.

 

“People should use trusted sources of information, such as the NHS website, and when feeling unwell, coming forward to contact the NHS for expert advice as they usually would.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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