Health bosses are considering the return of blood tests at a Kent hospital after the service was axed last year.

Campaigners have put forward a proposal for a pilot scheme at the Victoria Hospital in Deal, which would see phlebotomy services brought back.

The testing service at the London Road hospital was stopped by the Kent Community Healthcare NHS Trust last Autumn, prompting a huge backlash.

Patients instead had to access the service through their GP surgeries, but residents said the new system was not fit for purpose.

A rally was held in November last year on Deal pier, with more than 250 residents marching through town, and a petition started by Cllr Tony Grist gained 3,000 signatures.

Last month, MP Natalie Elphicke and campaigners from Blood Service Health Action Team met with health chiefs to discuss the next stage of their campaign to bring blood tests back.

They presented a proposal asking bosses to support a pilot blood testing service at the Hospital to provide additional choice to patients, lower waiting times and support speedier diagnostics.

The lengthy meeting concluded with bosses agreeing to review the pilot proposal.

Following the decision, Mrs Elphicke said: “The NHS area chief executive, Paul Bentley, agreed to the meeting and listened carefully to the concerns raised about community provision of blood tests.

"However, it is vital that action is taken by health chiefs to improve access and availability of blood-testing services for Deal and Walmer.

"When the service was changed the health chiefs gave assurances that residents would be able to get blood tests done locally when needed.

"That isn't happening. 97% of respondents to the survey said they wanted blood tests available at both GPs and at Deal Hospital.

"That is where we need to get to."

Cllr Grist added: “My petition showed the huge local public support for blood test services at Deal Hospital.

"It is staggering that it has taken a year to even get the local health chiefs to meet to listen to the problems that their decision to close blood services has caused.

"Let's see whether they now take any action.”

Deal resident and campaigner Marsha Horne says it is great to "finally have the opportunity to speak directly with the chief executive" about the issue.

"It was important for me to give this issue a human face and for the powers that be to hear the voices of our community regarding the impact the closure is continuing to have on them, their families and their friends," she added.

"I for one won't be giving up the fight until we have blood tests back at Deal Hospital.”

In November, the service was transferred in full to surgeries across Deal, including Manor Road Surgery, St Richard’s and Golf Road Surgery, Balmoral Surgery and Cedars Surgery.

But many residents who took part in a survey told of trouble getting through to surgeries to book appointments, delays in securing appointments and having to instead travel miles elsewhere to get checked.

A worrying 72% of service users asked said the new system was not working well for them and their families.

Campaigner Anne Matthews said: “The pilot proposal is considered and professionally put together.

"It is not at all expensive for a health budget of billions of pounds.

"They assured us that their original decision wasn't about money.

"So I do hope that the health chiefs look very carefully at it and consider their responsibilities as health commissioners, as well as the poor experiences of services currently for local people.

"It's clear to me that the best way forward for our community is blood services back in Deal Hospital."