The days of bringing 'unsolicited' urine samples to a GP surgery are over after 'recent incidents', patients have been told. Texts from a GP surgery said only people who have been asked to bring in sample should do so.
The message read: "Due to recent incidents, we will no longer be accepting unsolicited urine samples. If you have been asked to bring in a sample by a clinician, please do so. Otherwise samples will be not be accepted. If you have urine infection symptoms, please seek advice from your GP or pharmacy."
It was sent out by Hartshill Medical Centre, a Stoke-on-Trent GP surgery to dozens of patients. StokeonTrentLive, which reported the story, contacted the surgery for clarification on why the message had been sent.
In response, a spokesman said patients had been bringing in samples without having been told to by medics. The spokesman said: "There have been occasions where people who think they may have a urine infection have brought in a sample and asked for it to be tested.
"We have sent out a text message to patients to try and dissuade them from doing this.
"They should instead request an appointment for a consultation and will be asked to provide a sample if one is needed."
