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Blood tests

The Trust’s phlebotomy department supports phlebotomy services in virtually every GP practice within East and North Hertfordshire. Phlebotomists are trained to take a small amount of blood from patients for examination in a laboratory.

From Saturday 1 April, we will temporarily be returning to a walk-in service for our adult phlebotomy service at Lister, New QEII and Hertford County Hospital.

If you have a blood test booked, please attend as scheduled. If you are not able to attend, please cancel in good time so that the appointment can be available for others.

If you need a blood test, please continue to check this booking site for appointments as slots may become available due to cancellations – and please check all locations.

If you are unable to book an appointment, the walk in services will be available from 1 April at all of our sites (please see times below).

If you believe that your blood test is urgent, please speak to your GP who will be able to request an urgent blood test for you.

Adult and Children (11 years and over) up until 31 March

You should book your appointment using the links below:

In order to book your appointment, you will need your NHS number, postcode, name, date of birth and mobile phone number.

Adult and Children walk-in service (11 years and over) from 1 April

  • Lister
    • 8:30am-5pm (Monday-Friday)
    • 8.45am-12.45pm (Saturday)
  • New QEII
    • 8.30am-5pm (Monday-Thursday), 8am-4.30pm (Fridays only)
    • 8am- 12noon (Saturday) 
  • Hertford County Hospital
    • 8.30am-3.45pm (Monday- Friday)

Special test exceptions

  • Adults (fasting samples)
    Please arrive between 8am-9.30am.
  • Adults (attending Glucose Tolerance Tests) 
    Appointment only. Please call 01438 284044 to book and arrive between 8am-8:30am.

Children (10 years and under) – appointment only
In order to book your appointment, you will need the patient’s NHS number, postcode, name, date of birth and mobile phone number.

Lister Hospital
Children – 10am-3pm (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) 
Appointment only. Please call 01438 284044 to book.
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.

New QEII and Hertford County
There are limited appointments for children under 10 available at Hertford County Hospital and New QEII Hospital. Please call the Phlebotomy team on 01438 284044 to book.

Children under 1 year

For blood tests for children under 1 year, please call Lister Bramble Ward on 01438 286315.

Attending Phlebotomy:

When you arrive to the department, please go to the phlebotomy reception area at the hospital and provide your personal details. The waiting area is small and you may be required to leave the department and return depending on the current wait times.

Community-based sessions – GP surgeries

Phlebotomy services are now widely available at GP surgeries within the Trust. Please contact your local GP surgery for further details and appointment times.

Community-based sessions – appointment only

Appointments are needed to attend the following 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 and Friday , 8am to 4pm

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, 8.45am 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, 8.30am 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 hours fasting
  • Fasting lipids and triglycerides – at least 12-14 hours 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. 

Page last updated: 23 March 2023