THE Alexandra Hospital has apologised for turning people who needed blood tests away on Monday.

Around 15 people were waiting to give blood at the hospital when staff called in sick and the service could not be run.

A hospital spokesman said: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused on Monday.

"Two full time phlebotomists - who draw the blood before it's sent to a laboratory for testing - and their cover were all off sick, which only became apparent on Monday morning.

"At that time it was unfortunately too late to book agency cover. The situation arose with little or no notice."

However blood tests could continue in the hospital's wards for patients where there was staff to cover.

And the people turned away who needed blood tests were referred back to their GPs or clinics.

The spokesman for the hospital also said a normal service had been resumed yesterday.

The spokesman added: "The problem we have is people can come into the hospital at any time so they are not booked to an appointment."