NEW changes to blood tests in Wirral will affect all patients from next month, meaning people will have access to them at their local GP once more.

The changes will see a combination of drop-in and bookable appointments introduced at GPs around the borough, as well as increased availability for tests and opening hours of 8am to 6pm, depending on location.

It's a reverse from the move in 2016 that saw four hub clinics around Wirral take on all of them, with tests at GPs stopped.

The new service will come into effect in Wirral from July 1.

It comes after Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group gathered feedback from patients, GPs and other stakeholders, including a survey where more than 500 responses were received.

Dr Sue Wells, chair of Wirral CCG, said: "We have listened to a variety of views about the way blood testing services were working in Wirral.

"We have used that information and looked at it alongside the resources we have, to redesign the way the service is run.

"While the new service is tailored to each local area, and the specifics will depend on where your GP Practice is, it will offer more bookable and drop-in appointments closer to home, to meet the needs of the people of Wirral."

The changes will mean different things in different areas, so patients are advised to speak to their GP about how and where to access the service.