Your GP may request blood tests to further investigate your symptoms, monitor your conditions or your medication.
How to book a blood test
For urgent blood tests, if you are unable to travel to the hospital, please contact us here to book in for a blood test with our healthcare assistant.
The majority of blood tests are undertaken at our local hospitals. Please collect your blood test form from reception and use the link below to book your blood test online. You must take your forms with you to your appointment.
If your hospital specialist has requested you to have blood tests, please contact their department for any queries. You can also book an appointment for these at the hospital.
If you are housebound and require a blood test, please contact the surgery to be referred to the district nurses.
How do I get my results?
If your GP has requested the tests, the results will be sent directly to the surgery. For tests requested by specialists, we will not directly receive your results. Some routine blood results will return within 5 working days, however occasionally your GP will request more complex tests which can take up to 2 weeks to return. If your results are normal, or within normal or acceptable range for you, we will not always contact you.
You can access your results online. For more information on this, click here.
How can I learn more about my blood test?
Your GP will be happy to discuss your blood tests with you and explain what they are for. If you would like to know more, you can visit the NHS website and learn about some of the most widely used blood tests.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my blood test?
No. The GP or nurse will tell you if there are any special instructions that you need to follow before your test. Occasionally, depending on the type of blood test you may be asked to:
- Avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) before midnight prior to the test. This is called a fasting blood test and helps avoid food and drink you have consumed affecting the result.
- Stop taking certain medication prior to the test. This would only be done if there is a chance that one of your medication might affect the result of the test.
If you have a phobia of needles or have difficulty giving a blood sample, please let the nurse or GP know. They will be sympathetic and will do their best to support you through the experience.
What happens during a blood test?
A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child’s hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken. More information about the process of having a blood test is available on the NHS website.
How will I feel after my blood test?
Only a small amount of blood is taken during the test so you shouldn’t feel any significant side effects. However some people feel dizzy or faint and if this happens you should tell the nurse or GP carrying out the test so that they can make you feel comfortable. You may also have a small bruised area on your skin where the needle went in but this will soon go.