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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.

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

National shortage of blood tubes

There is a national shortage of blood collection tubes.

This means that we must restrict the number of blood tests that we carry out, to only those which are most clinically urgent.

Restrictions are in place from 27 August 2021 until 18 September.

During this time, please only attend for a blood test at the Lister, New QEII and Hertford County hospitals if:

  • you have been told that your request is urgent OR
  • your next clinic appointment is before the 24 September

If you have been given a pre-booked appointment, the above restriction does not apply.

We are sorry for your inconvenience.

Main hospital-based sessions

Blood test appointments, requested by GPs, should now be booked online for the following hospitals: Hertford County Hospital, Lister Hospital and New QEII. This is to help maximise the number of tests we can offer to patients, minimise queues and continue to maintain social distancing in waiting areas.

Our current walk-in service will remain in place for those attending outpatient appointments.

Adult and Children (11 years and over)

You should book your appointment using the links below:

Children (10 years and under)

If the patient is under 10 years old, please book using the following link:

  • Lister Hospital (Children)
  • There are limited appointments for children under 10 available at Hertford County Hospital and New QEII Hospital. Please call the Phlebotomy team below to book.

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

Children under 1 year

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

Attending your appointment:

When you arrive for your appointment, please go to the phlebotomy reception area at the hospital and provide your name and your appointment time.

Please arrive promptly and ideally no earlier than five minutes beforehand to help ensure social distancing.

For more information, please visit Changes to our walk-in blood test service.

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. 

Community-based sessions – GP surgeries

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

  • Birchwood Surgery (Letchworth) – open Monday (8:30-10:15am), Tuesday (1:30pm-2:30pm), Thursday (8:30-09:15am and 11:30-12:30pm), Friday (10:55am-12:10pm)
  • Valley View Surgery (Goffs Oak) – open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 08:30-12:30

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. 

Page last updated: 07 September 2021