AN EMPTY hospital ward could soon be reopened and used for blood testing and physiotherapy patients.

The Heronwood and Galleon wards at the Old Wanstead Hospital in Makepeace Road shut their doors for the last time at the beginning of this year after campaigners lost a fierce battle to save them.

But after NHS property services failed to fix a boiler problem that shut down neighbouring phlebotomy services at the hospital over the last two weeks, managers Barts Health have said the Galleon unit could be reopened as the new home of blood testing services.

A Barts Health Trust spokesman said: “Unfortunately the boiler in the unit we use for blood testing at the Old Wanstead Hospital has stopped working.

“When taking blood, staff must be able to comply with infection control responsibilities like being able to thoroughly wash their hands.

“We immediately escalated the boiler issue to owners NHS property services to get the problem fixed as soon as possible.

“But having investigated, they have advised that it would be better for patients to explore the possibility of using the Galleon unit for phlebotomy and physiotherapy services.”

Patients and NHS campaigners expressed major concerns about the temporary closure of the blood testing clinic and were unhappy about being redirected to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone because of long waits, lack of parking and easy access for elderly patients.

But Helen Zammett of the Wanstead and Snaresbrook Residents’ Alliance said she was “relieved” services could be up and running again within a month.

She said: “I visited the site this week and the physiotherapy department is still operating in its old building, and there’s no sign of any work starting on Galleon yet.

“I am told the chairman of the trust has met with our MP John Cryer and assured him the services will continue in Wanstead.

“But Barts still needs to improve its communication with local bodies and residents to reassure them when things like this happen.”