A blood test is often done to check your health, or to find out why you're having certain symptoms. It involves having a small amount of your blood taken for testing. Unless you've been told otherwise, please drink plenty of water prior to your appointment as dehydration may mean we cannot take your blood. The GP, nurse, or specialist should tell you if you need to do anything to prepare for a blood test such as not eating prior (fasting). 

All blood tests must be requested by a clinician and cannot be done if they have not ordered it. Please only book this appointment if your clinician has told you that you need to book.

Are you worried about needles? 

Tell the healthcare professional doing your blood test if you're worried about needles. They can help you feel more comfortable during the test.

You can also bring someone with you to the blood test to support you.

Blood tests requested by the hospital

The Hospital has worked in collaboration with our local commissioners and a new service is now available to patients who have blood tests initiated by the hospital. This means that your blood results will go directly to the consultant who requested the bloods which speeds up the process for you.

Unfortunately, this means we cannot take the blood test at the surgery for you so please do not book this appointment type.

To book your hospital requested bloods, please call the Hospital Phlebotomy Service on 01539 715700 Mon-Fri between 10am - 2pm. 

Your blood test appointment usually takes about 10 minutes.

A healthcare professional will take a small amount of blood, usually from the inside of your elbow, using a needle. Sometimes blood may be taken from your wrist, or your finger (called a finger-prick test).

A soft strap (tourniquet) may be put around your arm first. This helps to make taking blood easier.

You’ll feel a scratch as the needle goes in, which may be a bit uncomfortable. Your blood will be collected in a small tube which will be sent to a lab for testing.

After the test, you'll usually be given some cotton wool or a plaster to cover the area where the blood was taken.

You may get some bruising or swelling around the area where your blood was taken, but this should go away after a few days.

DO BOOK IF:

✓ You have been told by a GP or clinician you need a blood test.

✓ You are due your 3/6 monthly diabetic blood test.

✓ You have regular high risk medication monitoring and have been instructed you require a blood test.

DO NOT BOOK IF:

⊘ You haven't been told by a clinician to book a blood test.

⊘ Your blood test was requested by a hospital consultant. Please see the section above for more information 'Blood tests requested by the hospital'.

Click here to return to the online bookable main page