For Children who are 5 years and older
If your child is under 5, please contact your clinician.
From August 2023 our over 5’s clinic will be on a Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 4pm.
Please call 01622 477708 to book your child an appointment.
Please do not book through portal.
This clinic is provided for hospital consultant blood test requests only. If you have a GP blood test these must be booked with your surgery.
The clinic is located on the ground floor and operates Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
We run blood test clinics for hospital inpatients and outpatients. At Maidstone Hospital these are only available via booked appointments, which can be made online at via the Patient Portal or by telephone on 01622 477708 or 01622 477709.
This clinic is provided for hospital consultant blood test requests only. If you have a GP blood test these must be booked with your surgery.
The clinic is located on level 0 – Orange Area B. It operates Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
We run blood test clinics for hospital inpatients and outpatients. At Tunbridge Wells Hospital these are only available via booked appointments, which can be made online at via the Patient Portal or by telephone on 01622 477708 or 01622 477709.
This clinic is for patients from GP practices in the Sevenoaks area only. To reduce waiting times, each GP practice has several nominated session times each week for their patients. Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment then attend Sevenoaks Hospital at the time and date allocated.
Please be aware that if you do not have an appointment booked via your GP surgery we will be unable to see you and you will be asked to contact your surgery for an appointment. Please note there is no service on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays
See also: Getting to Sevenoaks Hospital.
A blood test involves drawing a blood sample for laboratory analysis. These tests are a standard part of healthcare and can serve numerous purposes. They can help evaluate your overall health, confirm if an infection is bacterial or viral, monitor organ function like the liver and kidneys, and even screen for genetic conditions. This service is available at our surgery for patients who are 16 years old and above, and it usually takes just a few minutes.
Before your blood test, the GP or Nurse who requested the test will provide any necessary instructions. Depending on the specific test, you might need to fast (refrain from eating or drinking anything except water), or temporarily stop taking certain medications. For fasting blood tests, we generally recommend not consuming anything except water after 10pm the night before.
The process of obtaining a blood sample is straightforward. The phlebotomist will first verify your personal details, including your name, date of birth, and address. Then, a tight band, or tourniquet, will be placed around your upper arm to slow the blood flow and cause the vein to fill with blood, making it easier to draw a sample. The phlebotomist will select an appropriate vein (usually on the inside of the elbow) and insert the needle. You might feel a slight prick, but it shouldn't be painful. If you're uncomfortable with needles, let the phlebotomist know so they can help ease your anxiety. If you feel faint at any point, inform the phlebotomist immediately.
Once the sample is collected, the needle will be safely discarded. You'll be asked to press a cotton-wool pad against the small puncture site for a few minutes to stop any bleeding and prevent bruising. Afterwards, a small plaster will be applied to keep the area clean and ward off infection.
Test results typically take between 5 to 7 days to come back, although some may take longer. Your GP or Nurse will let you know if a follow-up appointment is necessary when they request the test.
