TWO additional consultant medical specialist are to be recruited to reduce delays in biopsy results at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Concerns had been raised by patients about the time it was taking for test results to come through.

One contacted the Globe to say said she had undergone a biopsy on two pre-cancerous growths in December, but was still awaiting results to be returned to her GP and the hospital.

The patient, who insisted on anonymity, said she had been told a backlog was leading to some biopsies being ‘outsourced’ to agencies as the Wirral test lab was under pressure.

“I understand some patients have not had results from October,” she said.

“I’m concerned about my treatment being held up because of slow results.”

A spokesman for Wirral Hospital Trust said two additional consultant histopathologists - specialists who analyse tissue to diagnose disease - will be taken on in the next few months.

The spokesman said: “The time it takes to test tissue samples can vary depending on the nature of the specimen and what it is being tested for.

“Certain tissue samples, such as those with suspected cancer, are reported much quicker. This will be between five days for cancer biopsies and ten days for major cancer specimens.

“Like many NHS hospital trusts, we may use outside specialist staff and laboratories when required to help keep any delays we are experiencing to an absolute minimum.

“We are sorry to hear about the concerns this patient has, but if they would like to discus their test further, our patient experience team can be contacted by calling 0151 604 7660.”