A "financially-driven" decision by health bosses to stop weekend analysis of blood tests and other samples taken from patients at Norfolk GP practices could be reversed.
Health officials conceded the impact on patients had been greater than anticipated after the decision last summer.
Ending analysis of such tests at weekends has meant people seeing GPs on Saturdays could not have blood tests or other samples taken.
The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital had been providing weekend testing for samples submitted by GPs since 2022.
Between April and September 2024, there were 14,108 samples sent for testing from 39 practices.
But the hospital raised concerns about the use of resources and the cost for a service which had never been never been formally commissioned to deliver weekend provision to GPs.
The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) agreed last June to cease it.
However, at a meeting of Norfolk's Health Overview Select Committee - made up of representatives from across the county's councils - health officials conceded they were reconsidering the decision.
It came after criticism the withdrawal had happened without consultation with GPs.
GPs also said working-age patients with conditions such as diabetes - which requires annual blood tests - struggled to get to appointments during the week, so Saturday appointments were important.
Jonathan Knights, executive director of Great Yarmouth-based East Norfolk Medical Practice, told the committee the decision had made it even harder for people to access health services.
He said: "The decision to take away that weekend service has, no doubt, had an impact on the ease of access to the patients in our community."
Janette McMullen, Labour Great Yarmouth borough councillor said: "The reality in Great Yarmouth is that you have working people working in very low paid jobs and usually that means less flexibility to get to appointments.
"I just don't understand how medical professionals can be effective at the weekend if they are not allowed to take samples to do diagnostics. It means people have to have extra visits."
Independent Progressive Group county councillor Alexandra Kemp said: "It seems to me it's not been driven by patient need. Surely everything should be done to increase the testing?"
Dr Frankie Swords, executive medical director of the Norfolk and Waveney ICB, acknowledged the decision had been "financially-driven".
She said: "Having taken it, we are seeing that there is more impact than was anticipated."
Dr Swords said that decision was now being "urgently" reviewed and suggested new contract negotiations could lead to a revival of the weekend testing service from April.
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