A phlebotomy (blood) clinic is held at the Health Centre primarily to take blood samples and prepare them for safe delivery to the Pathology lab at Royal Berkshire Hospital or Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital.

Clinic hours are as follows:

• Monday 8.30am – 10.30am
• Tuesday 8.30am – 10.25am
• Wednesday 8.05am – 12.00am
• Thursday 8.05am – 12.30am
• Friday 8.30am – 12.00am

To book an appointment, please use our Online Patient Services or phone the surgery on 01635 867171 and choose option 4 (or ask to be put through to the Treatment Room).

West Berkshire Hospital

Blood tests can be booked at the West Berkshire Hospital – the unit is open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm. Please note that different types of blood tests are taken at certain times.

Tel 01635 273343 or visit wbch.sangix.co.uk to book an appointment.

You will have to register to book online, and you will need your NHS number. Your NHS number should be on the form that you need to take with you. Alternatively it will be on any recent prescription form.

Preparing for a blood test

The healthcare professional who arranges your blood test will tell you whether there are any specific instructions you need to follow before your test.

For example, depending on the type of blood test, you may be asked to:

• avoid eating or drinking anything, apart from water (fasting) for up to 12 hours – see can I eat and drink before having a blood test?
• stop taking a certain medication – see can I take medication before having a blood test?

It’s important to follow the instructions you’re given, as it may affect the result of the test and mean it needs to be delayed or carried out again.

What happens during a blood test?

Make sure you bring your blood form which was given to you by a GP or nurse. This form will indicate the type of sample to obtain which will be necessary for the test.

A blood test usually involves taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm.

The arm is a convenient part of the body to use because it can be easily uncovered. The usual place for a sample to be taken from is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface.

Blood samples from children are often taken from the back of the hand. Their skin may be numbed with a special spray or cream before the sample is taken.

What is a blood test for?

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
• check if you have an infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
• screen for certain genetic conditions

Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and are carried out at your GP surgery or local hospital by a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (a specialist in taking blood samples).

Read about some common types of blood test.