SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - A new blood collection clinic has set up in Summerside.
“We all know the wait times and appointment schedules can be long when you’re waiting to get blood taken or have another exam at a hospital or other facility,” said Rachel Reeves.
Reeves is a medical laboratory assistant. She understands the work hospitals have to do first hand.
“I worked in a hospital for three years before I began working with Dr. Paul Phelan and Dr. Syed Naqvi for blood collection services. I still pick up a couple shifts at Prince County Hospital.
“The work the hospital does is great, and I have so much respect for them. I’m just trying to help with the patient load.”
“We have a full complimentary hospital in Summerside, but the lab can be very busy,” said Naqvi. “In the past, patients have also had booking issues. Rachel is usually able to book them in the next day and take some walk-ins too.”
Reeves has been contracting the services out to Naqvi since May 2018. The new year marked providing the services to Phelan’s patients as well.
“I cater to the blood collection requisition form, not necessarily an appointment. It gives people the opportunity to walk in and get it done during the hours I’m open.”
“It’s a one-stop-shop here. Rachel will be able to see people who don’t have a family physician as well as those from out of province or even out of country, provided there’s the requisition form.”
-Dr. Syed Naqvi
“It’s a one-stop-shop here,” Naqvi said. “Rachel will be able to see people who don’t have a family physician as well as those from out of province or even out of country, provided there’s the requisition form.”
In order to do this, Reeves, 21, had to start her own business – Reeves Laboratory Services.
“That’s been pretty cool. I’m still pretty young so it’s been eye-opening.”
Reeves’s office is based out of the Murphy’s Central Street Pharmacy.
“Dr. Naqvi’s office is on one side of the building and Dr. Phelan’s is on the other,” she said.
She said she sees about 10 to 15 people per day.
“I’m working in Dr. Phelan’s office from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and then at the Murphy’s pharmacy from 9 until 11 a.m.”
The clinic runs five days a week.
Other than the hospital, there are also a handful of other doctors’ offices in Summerside that offer blood collection on site, like Harbourside Health Centre and Summerside Medical Centre.
Reeves said it’s inspiring work because it started out of the doctor’s passion to help their patients receive the services faster.
“It really shows that they care about their patients and want to help them as much as they can.”
Naqvi said, for those patients who may be geriatric it removes that extra step if they have go to the hospital.
“If they’re here seeing a doctor and then have to go to the hospital, it might be hard for them. This may remove that issue.”
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