Patients will be able to access blood testing at the Old Wanstead Hospital, from Wednesday, after a boiler problem forced residents to travel to Whipps Cross hospital.

In July, boiler problems forced the ward to close, leading Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the service in Makepeace Road, to instruct patients to attend Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone.

Now, the Heronwood and Galleon Unit at the Wanstead hospital has been offering physiotherapy services since the end of August, and will reopen for blood tests from Wednesday.

A spokesman from Barts Health NHS Trust said: “Barts Health, NHS Property Services and the local Clinical Commissioning Group agreed to use the Heronwood and Galleon Unit in Wanstead, following the temporary closure of the adjacent unit in July.

“The unit is in better physical condition and will provide a better experience for staff and patients.

“It is in better physical condition and will provide a better experience for staff and patients.

“It will also provide a larger clinical area and has a dedicated phlebotomy waiting room compared to the corridor where patients have previously waited.

“We appreciate the patience of local people and our staff during this period and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.”