PATIENTS needing to have a blood test at St Helens Urgent Treatment Centre (formerly known as the walk-in centre) will now need to book an appointment in advance, health chiefs have confirmed.

People have previously been able to visit the Millennium Centre on Corporation Street, St Helens between 7am and 9am to have tests.

However, an increasing demand for the service and social distancing requirements have led local NHS bosses to bring in the changes.

A spokesperson for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Due to increased demand for the service and the need to maintain social distancing within the centre the UTC phlebotomy clinic, delivered by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will no longer offer a ‘walk-in’ service, and instead will provide a more efficient appointment-based system each Monday to Friday between 7am and 9am.

"Patients who need to book an appointment for blood tests at the St Helens UTC should telephone 01744 627 400."