Addenbrooke’s Hospital is advising that its drive-through blood testing service at Cambridge’s Newmarket Road park- and-ride will be closed on November 2 due to a forecast of extremely high winds from Storm Ciarán.

The hospital has said as the service is based in marquees, it will be closed in the interests of public safety.

The service was set up in August 2020 in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to reduce the number of patients visiting Addenbrooke’s during the pandemic.

The speed and convenience of the service has made it extremely popular with patients.

The drop-in service is normally available between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Fridays to anyone over the age of 16 and who has medical paperwork or a request for blood tests placed on the hospital computer system.

A Cambridge University Hospital. spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise in advance for the suspension of the service, but know the public will understand that it is in the interests of everyone’s safety.

“We anticipate the weather will be better by Friday and look forward to welcoming patients then. However please keep an eye on our website for updates.”