Non-urgent blood tests, requested by Isle of Wight GPs, are now being carried out at doctors' surgeries and a booking system is to be introduced at St Mary's Hospital.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust says changes are being made, working with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (the organisation that replaced the CCG), to 'support patients, and to reduce travelling and waiting times.'

Hospital bosses said, "if your GP requires you to have a non-urgent blood test it should now be done at the surgery."

All Isle of Wight residents aged over 12-years-old will be included in the change.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust insists its hospital-based walk-in service continues for now - and people requiring specialist tests will still attend St Mary's in Newport.

However, one Island patient has told the County Press they were confused when they were turned away at the hospital - and were instead sent back to their GP, where there was a long wait for a test.

The Trust said: "We will continue to work with our Island GP practices, to ensure patients needing blood tests are seen in the right place and within the right time frame.

"Early next year we will introduce a new booking system at St Mary’s, which will significantly reduce waiting times and improve patient experience.