A mum whose daughter needs regular blood tests has said replacing needles with a new painless device has made a “huge difference” to a usually frightening and traumatic experience.
The tests had been “horrible” for 16-year-old Abi, who has Down syndrome and autism, her mother Heather said, until the pilot of the Touch Activated Phlebotomy (TAP) device, which uses a vacuum to remove blood.
The method was stumbled across by Dr Karen Perkins at Morecambe Bay Hospital NHS Trust, which has pioneered use of the technology with patients with learning disabilities.
Dr Perkins said the “promising” devices could be rolled out nationally after attracting attention from national charities and NHS England.
Until quite recently, blood tests for 16-year-old Abi meant trauma for everyone involved.
“Abi would be quite distressed,” said her mum Heather.
“She would typically curl up into a ball and would get herself onto the floor so that she physically couldn’t be got”.
“She’d be crying out and it was horrible.”
Abi needs blood checks every three to six months to monitor her hypothyroidism, which can lead to serious heart and other health problems if not properly treated.