Kevin Ratcliffe, former Everton and Wales captain, officially opened Liverpool’s newest drive-through blood sample clinic – and gave it the thumbs up.



The drive-through, at the Jeffrey Humble playing fields in Fazakerley, near Aintree University Hospital, is for the use of patients from Liverpool University Hospitals – Aintree, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital.



The clinic, which is booking only, lets patients choose a slot to have their blood sample taken, without having to the visit busy hospital-based clinics.



Kevin Ratcliffe was one of the first patients to use the drive-through service, and also officially declared it open.



Kevin said: “The drive-through process was really simple, and the whole thing was very quick and easy. This is a great service for patients – well done to everyone involved for working so hard to get it up and running.”



The service is run by staff from Liverpool University Hospitals, and the project was supported by Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Mayor Joe Anderson, who helped secure the venue.



Dr Rebecca Hanlon of Liverpool University Hospitals said: “Many patients will find this much more convenient than visiting one of our hospital clinics. They can use the drive-through knowing that we have the highest standards of safety and that they will only come into contact with the member of staff involved, who is wearing full Personal Protective Equipment.



“We are committed to ensuring that this is an excellent service and experience for our patients, and this approach also helps us do even more to keep COVID out of our hospitals”



Dr Fiona Lemmens, Chair of NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’re delighted to be part of launching this innovative new drive through site for the blood testing service. It offers patients a fast, convenient and safe alternative for having blood tests, and will create some much needed extra capacity so that the service can see more patients.”