Blood Tests
Phlebotomy, also know as a blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
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.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.
Please note we are unable to perform blood tests on children under 14.
We operate a drop in blood clinic each day between 07.30-10.30. No appointment is needed. The samples are then collected from the Medical Unit at around 11am and transported to the laboratory at Queens Hospital Burton for processing. This is why we take the vast majority of blood samples in the morning. Some types of blood samples, diabetic HBA1C bloods for example, can be taken and stored until the collection the next day without the sample being compromised so you may be offered a booked appointment after 10.30 depending on the bloods required.