Blood testing services across Essex have been "temporarily reduced" – sparking concerns and fears from campaigners and residents.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals and health services across the county, says phlebotomy services have been reduced in Maldon and Braintree, insisting services will return to normal levels at the start of September.

It comes after campaigners and residents claim services have been reduced by 50 per cent, that Braintree only has the services two days per week and St Peter's Hospital in Maldon now only has the services three days per week. 

The campaigners and residents also claim this has reduced the overall service by approximately 840 blood tests per week and they also claim this is due to the fact there is not enough staff for a full service.

The angry and worried campaigners and residents posted their claims on Facebook but the NHS trust was unavailable to comment on these claims and was also unavailable to confirm which healthcare sites in Braintree are affected.

The online booking system allows residents to book blood tests at the NHS Livewell Hub in Saunders House, Manor Street, Braintree.

It comes as NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board is considering closing St Peter's Hospital and transferring services to other sites across the county.

The plans include potential changes to the places where some community hospital intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation services are provided; a proposal to make permanent the temporary move of the free-standing midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter's to Braintree, and proposals on the possibility of moving all other patient services to other locations.

Michelle Stapleton, system integrated care pathway director at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have temporarily reduced the number of phlebotomy sessions offered at St Peter's Hospital and in Braintree.

"People can book using the SwiftQueue system as normal. This enables us to keep a service across all areas while managing temporary staff absence and resources wisely.

"The service will return to normal levels from September 1."