Blood tests

Please note the information on this page has been updated, but may change at short notice due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Main hospital-based sessions – walk-in

No appointments are currently needed to attend any of these phlebotomy sessions:

Hertford County Hospital

• Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays)
  
• Children 1-10 years will be fast-tracked upon arrival (no children 1-10 years after 3pm)

Lister Hospital

• Adults Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm (excluding bank holidays)
• Adults Saturday, 8.45am to 12.45pm (no children 1-10 years)*
  
• Children 1-10 years will be fast-tracked upon arrival (no children 1-10 years after 4pm or at weekends)

New QEII Hospital

• Adults Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5.30pm (excluding bank holidays)
• Adults Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
• Adults Saturday, 8am to 12noon (No Children 1-10 years)*
  
• Children 1-10 years will be fast-tracked upon arrival (No children 1-10 years after 4pm or at weekends)

Please note: 
We are unable to see children under the age of 10 at the Lister and New QEII clinics on Saturdays unless an urgent appointment has been pre-booked by their GP. 

Children under 1 year
For blood tests for children under 1 year please call Lister Bramble ward on 01438 314333 (x6315) (regardless of address)

Community-based sessions – GP surgeries

Phlebotomy services are due to restart at the following practices from the dates specified, with more to follow:

• Benington Surgery (including Watton Place Clinic patients) – open every Tuesday 9am to 12noon
• Birchwood Surgery (Letchworth) – open every Wednesday 9am to 12noon
• Valley View Surgery (Goffs Oak) – open every Thursday 8.30am to 12.30pm

Community-based sessions – appointment only

Appointments are needed to attend these phlebotomy sessions:

Baldock

Park Drive Health Centre (by appointment only via Baldock and Letchworth GP surgeries)

• Tuesday, 8.30am to 12noon
• Wednesday, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
• Thursday, 8.30am to 12noon

Hitchin

Bedford Road Health Centre (by appointment only and then through just the following Hitchin GP surgeries: Marshall House, Orford Lodge, Portmill and Regal Chambers)

• Tuesday , 8am to 4.30pm

Hoddesdon

Hoddesdon Health Centre (by appointment only)

• Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 2pm (excluding bank holidays)

Stevenage

Danestrete Clinic (by appointment only – appointments are made normally directly by nurses with patients attending anti-coagulation clinics)

• Mondays and Wednesdays only,  8.30am to 11.45am (excluding bank holidays)

Waltham Cross

Stanhope Road Health Centre (by appointment only, but through the health centre itself – 01992 818500)

• Monday to Friday , 8.30am to 12noon (excluding bank holidays)

Ware

Bowling Road Health Centre (by appointment only)

• Monday, 1.30pm to 3.45pm (excluding bank holidays)
• Wednesday, 8.30pm to 12noon
• Friday, 8.30am to 12noon (excluding bank holidays)

Fasting blood test requirements

• Fasting glucose – at least 8 hours fasting
• Glucose tolerance test (GTT) – 8-14 hrs fasting
• Fasting lipids and triglycerides – at least 12-14 hrs fasting
• NB: Fasting means no food or drink apart from water.

Stay hydrated

It is advisable to be well hydrated before a blood test. Please remember to drink water before getting your blood taken.