Book a blood test

Our blood test service is available as a pre-booked service only. We provide a blood testing service at Epsom, St Helier, andSutton Hospitals, Queen Mary's Hospital for Children as well as at various Community Clinics. 

To book an appointment, please click the button below.

 

On-site blood form printing

Please note we can print off your electronic GP request at the following sites.

• St Helier Hospital Ferguson House
• Epsom Hospital Headley Wing
• Sutton Hospital Malvern Centre
• Leatherhead Hospital
• Jubilee Health Centre

Before you visit please ensure you have an electronic referral from your GP and have the following information ready for staff to find you on the computer system.

• A letter/electronic document showing their name and NHS number (preferred)
• In the absence of the above, a photographic ID showing name and date of birth

Unfortunately, if you attend without this information you will not be able to have the blood sample taken. You will need a printed copy of your blood form at all other phlebotomy locations.  

Please click on the appropriate link below to find further information.

If you are a GP or clinician and are looking for contact details and opening hours for blood tests, please visit the Blood tests (phlebotomy) page on the 'For GPs and Clinicals' section of our website.

When will the Sangix online blood test appointment system be rolled out for Epsom and St Helier hospital patients?

From February 2024, we are moving to a new appointment booking provider called Sangix. This will allow patients to not only book an appointment online but also use an automated telephone booking line that facilitates booking, changing, or cancelling appointments. The telephone service is available 24/7 on the following number: 

Appointment booking telephone number: 020 3376 6430.

If you already have a blood test booking account (on the old Swiftque system) you can still use this account. However, you will need to reset your password. Click on FORGOT PASSWORD, you will receive an email with a link that allows you to choose a new password. You can then log in with your email and new password.

If you are a new patient and want to book a blood test for February onwards, please click SIGN UP, register, and book an appointment.

How can a patient book a blood test at a participating site?

Sangix is a web-based platform. Patients can book the blood test by using a PC or a phone and following the link https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/blood-tests.  

What if patients are unable to book blood tests online themselves?

When a patient is unable to book a blood test online themselves, they can be helped by a family member or carer to set up an account. Alternately clinicians/admin staff (outpatient receptionists) can create an account for themselves and book an appointment on their patient’s behalf - see SOP on how to do this by clicking here: https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/blood-tests.

Patients can also use an automated telephone booking. The booking line is open 24/7 to book, change, or cancel an appointment. The telephone line is 0203 376 6430.  

Are there any changes to the opening hours of the blood testing service?

No, there are no changes to the opening hours which remain: 

St Helier Hospital:       Monday to Friday, 07.30am - 4.30pm

Epsom Hospital:          Monday to Friday, 08.30am - 4.30pm

What other phlebotomy sites are available to book for a blood test?

Apart from the main phlebotomy areas at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, we also carry out phlebotomy clinics at several locations within the community. The information about other sites is available at https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n13380.pdf&ver=42579

Are there any changes to the number of patients that will be able to have their bloods taken each day?

No, there is no change to the number of patients that can have their blood taken each day. Please ensure you remind your patient to adhere to infection control guidelines and not attend if symptomatic for symptoms suspicious of coronavirus or isolating following a contact.

What will happen if a patient walks in without an appointment booked?

The Trust will maintain a limited walk-in service for patients requiring a blood test after attending an outpatient clinic, certain vulnerable patient groups, and for those requiring urgent same-day bloods. Patients who walk in will be given the next available appointment that day - if possible - or offered an appointment for another day.

Will clinicians be able to access same-day blood tests for patients?

We will hold a number of urgent slots for patients who need to be bled the same day. These slots can be accessed by marking the ICM form as urgent or by writing ‘urgent/same day’ on the form in the free text box or manually. Please use this service judicially as the slots will be limited.

What happens when the patient arrives for their blood test?

When you arrive for your blood test, you will need to check-in. Currently, the receptionists will do this if you need your blood form printed which was requested by your GP. You can self-check-in kiosks at Epsom or St Helier hospitals if you have a paper copy of the blood form given to you by your GP or hospital Clinician. You will be required to wait in the waiting room with appropriate infection control measures in place until it is your turn. You will be directed to the appropriate bay when the phlebotomist is ready. 

What happens when a patient is late for an appointment?

If a patient is more than 15 minutes late, they will have the choice of either waiting until the next available slot if there is one available, or rebooking for another day.

Who should I contact for further information?

Please email Asam Saeed, Phlebotomy Service Manager, call phlebotomy through the switchboard, or email Dr Nikhil Johri, Clinical Lead and Quality Lead for Pathology and Phlebotomy. 

We provide a booked phlebotomy (blood test) service at Epsom Hospital. You must have a booked appointment to attend this service.  If you have not made an appointment, you will be given details to book an appointment and asked to return at the time of your appointment”. 

It is really important that you do not attend for a blood test if you, or someone you live with, is experiencing any Covid symptoms.  Please speak to the clinician who asked you to have a blood test and find out if the blood test can wait until you are feeling better.  Please do not bring anyone with you to your blood test unless they are a registered carer; this includes children.  Please ensure you are wearing a face covering when you attend for your appointment; if you don’t have one, one will be provided for you.

Blood testing service is located on the ground floor, Headley Wing, the service is open 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Please click below for Epsom Hospital map to find us.

Epsom Hospital map [pdf] 2MB

We provide a booked phlebotomy (blood test) service at St Helier Hospital. You must have a booked appointment to attend this service. If you have not made an appointment, you will be given details to book an appointment and asked to return at the time of your appointment”. 

It is really important that you do not attend for a blood test if you, or someone you live with, is experiencing any Covid symptoms.  Please speak to the clinician who asked you to have a blood test and find out if the blood test can wait until you are feeling better.  Please do not bring anyone with you to your blood test unless they are a registered carer; this includes children. Please ensure you are wearing a face covering when you attend for your appointment; if you don’t have one, one will be provided for you.

Blood testing service is located on the ground floor, Ferguson House; the service is open 7.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Please click below for St Helier Hospital map to find us.

St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children site map [pdf] 1MB

We provide a booked phlebotomy (blood test) service at Sutton Hospital. You must have a booked appointment to attend this service. If you have not made an appointment, you will be given details to book an appointment and asked to return at the time of your appointment.

It is really important that you do not attend for a blood test if you, or someone you live with, is experiencing any Covid symptoms. Please speak to the clinician who asked you to have a blood test and find out if the blood test can wait until you are feeling better.  Please do not bring anyone with you to your blood test unless they are a registered carer; this includes children. Please ensure you are wearing a face covering when you attend for your appointment; if you don’t have one, one will be provided for you.

Blood testing service at Sutton Hospital is located in Malvern Centre, 8.30am–12.30PM, Monday to Friday.

Please click below for Sutton Hospital map to find us.

Sutton map [pdf] 45KB

We offer blood tests at a variety of other sites in Sutton and Merton. Please note that these clinics are for those registered with a GP in either borough.

Please see open the leaflet below for details.

Where to get your blood test[pdf] 514KB

Blood tests for children under 10 years of age at St Helier are by appointment at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, if they are above this age, then you will be able to book into St Helier Hospital Ferguson House via the Adult Blood Tests option. Please click on blue “Book an appointment” icon above to book an appointment at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children or St Helier Hospital Ferguson House.

For blood tests for children under the age of 12 at Epsom general Hospital, please phone Ebbisham Ward on 01372 735735 ext 5234. If they are above this age, then you will be able to book into Epsom Hospital Headley Wing via the Adult Blood Tests option. Please click on blue “Book an appointment” icon above to book an appointment at Epsom Hospital Headley Wing.

Report to reception and give the receptionist all the forms that your doctor has given to you, these will be returned to you so that you can hand them to the person taking your blood. Let the member of staff on reception know if you have fasted.

Some patients with urgent bloods are given priority. This may mean that people appear to be jumping the queue; please be assured that this is not the case.

Take a seat in the waiting area. The waiting room can get very busy at times, people who are not actually having blood taken may be asked to wait elsewhere.

It is helpful if you are wearing garments with sleeves that can easily be pushed up over your elbow or have short sleeves. 

At your appointment time your name will be called. The phlebotomist will read the request forms, ask you to confirm your personal details and then prepare to take your blood sample. All our phlebotomists are fully trained and highly skilled in the withdrawing of blood samples. Please discuss any concerns that you have about the procedure with your phlebotomist.

Once the samples have been taken and the needle withdrawn, you will be asked to press on a pad to stop any bleeding. It is important that you press firmly as this helps to prevent bruising.

The phlebotomist will label all the tubes and prepare them to be taken to the laboratories for testing. If your blood test is urgent or you have been told to wait for the result, we will ensure that your sample is tested quickly.

The phlebotomist will check that bleeding from the site of venepuncture has stopped, apply a dressing and send you on your way.

Results of your tests will be returned to the person who requested the tests.

Your doctor has requested that you attend for a fasting blood test. This may be for glucose or lipid/cholesterol testing.

For this test to be performed you are required to fast overnight prior to the blood test. This means that you should consume no food or drink (except plain water) for up to 12 hours before the blood test.

You may continue to drink water during the fast but not more than the equivalent amount of fluid you would normally drink in that period.

Please continue to take any prescribed medication with water only.

Failure to comply with this fasting period may result in unclear results being obtained, which could be misinterpreted or require a repeat of the entire procedure.

What is a lipid profile?

A lipid profile is a group of tests that are often requested together to determine your risk of coronary heart disease. The tests that make up a lipid profile are tests that have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels.

What tests are included in a lipid profile?

The lipid profile includes total cholesterol (sometime called bad cholesterol), HDL-cholesterol (often called good cholesterol), total cholesterol/HDL ratio, and triglycerides. Sometimes the report will include additional calculated values such as HDL/Cholesterol ratio.

How is a lipid profile used?

The lipid profile is used to guide clinicians in deciding how a person at risk should be treated. The results of the lipid profile are considered along with other known risk factors of heart disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes to develop a plan of treatment and follow up.

Instructions for coming for a lipid profile test

We recommend you fast for 12 hours before the blood test. For example if you are due to have the test at 9am, you should fast from 9pm the evening before. This is because eating and drinking can affect the test results.

During this time, no food and drink (including any form of coffee or tea) should be consumed. You can however have plain water.

On the morning of the test avoid smoking or carrying out any rigorous exercise as these can also affect the result of the test.

Failure to fast for the required period may result in unclear results being obtained, which could be misinterpreted or require a repeat of the entire procedure.

If you are diabetic on insulin or diabetes medications (apart from metformin only) you do not need to fast, however please let the phlebotomist carrying out the blood test know.

The phlebotomy department at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust now offers a phlebotomy training workshop for external students. Training will be offered three times a year, with the first course starting on 21 November 2023. 

If you are looking to start your career as a phlebotomist, or you are a healthcare professional looking to build a rewarding career in this field, our workshop is an excellent introduction to phlebotomy. 

The half-day course will teach you the fundamentals of venepuncture and the application of best practice, and cover the essential knowledge needed if you are interested in a career in a phlebotomy setting. 

You will learn from industry experts. The workshop is led by our professional phlebotomists who have many years of practical venepuncture experience working in the Trust’s phlebotomy department. After attending the course, you will have the understanding and self-confidence to safely learn venepuncture techniques for adult patients.  

You will be given ample opportunity to practise on manikins as the course involves dry lab experience. A dry lab does not involve significant risk as training is conducted on manikins, using training arms with fake blood for blood drawing practice.   

Once you have completed the course, you will be presented with a certificate of attendance.  

If you are interested in booking the workshop or have any questions, please email jo.adams2@nhs.net.  

The half-day course costs £200 and includes refreshments.