Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test and only take a few minutes to complete.
Book your appointment by clicking on the relevant 'Book my blood test' button to the right of this page. Please use google chrome and wait a few seconds for the page to load.
Please bring along your bloods form to your appointment, which will have been provided by you GP upon request for a blood test. Please also bring your confirmation email/text message.
We encourage clinicians (GP Practices) to support patients without internet access to book their appointment online however a telephone appointment line is still available and patients can call:
- For Liverpool, South Sefton, Southport and Formby clinic bookings 0151 285 4548
- For Knowsley clinic bookings 0151 351 8530
If your blood test is deemed as urgent, your GP will call the appointment line to make an urgent booking.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please cancel it. You can do so by accessing the link in your booking confirmation.
If you need to cancel and rearrange, simply:
Click the link in the confirmation email you received and then rebook or if you live in Liverpool, South Sefton, Southport and Formby for clinic bookings call: 0151 285 4548 for Knowsley clinic bookings call 0151 351 8530
Why you might need a blood test
You may need a blood test to:
- Help find out what is making you unwell
- Check how your medicine is working
- Make sure you don’t have certain illnesses
A small needle is used to take blood from a vein, usually in your arm. The blood is then sent to a lab to be checked.
Before your appointment
- Drink plenty of water. This helps us find your vein.
- Bring your Blood Test Form, if you have one.
- Wear loose clothes so your arm is easy to reach.
- Try to arrive on time.
During the blood test
- Tell the staff if you take medicines like blood thinners, steroids or aspirin.
- Tell them if you have any allergies, like to plasters.
- You will be asked your name and date of birth.
- You can say which arm you prefer.
- Your skin will be cleaned with a wipe.
- A tight band will go around your arm to help the vein show.
- A small needle will be used. You may feel a quick pinprick.
- Press firmly on the spot for 2–3 minutes after the needle is removed.
After the blood test
- Keep the plaster or bandage on for 30 minutes and keep it dry.
- Do not lift heavy things or do hard exercise for one hour.
- You might get a small bruise or lump. This is normal and should go away.
- Get medical help quickly if the bleeding starts again, or if you feel dizzy or have chest pain.
Getting your results
- Your results will be added to your medical record for your GP or health worker to check.
- Most results are ready in about 48 hours, but sometimes it can take longer.
Possible complications:
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Pain |
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Pain is a common side effect; you can request for blood to be taken from a non-dominant side. |
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Bruising |
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Fainting |
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Infection |
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Nerve Damage |
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If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.
Telephone 0151 471 2377 Freephone 0800 328 2941
Liverpool, South Sefton and Knowsley children aged 12 years and over have routine blood tests taken in the community by Mersey Care, instead of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Parents and carers are no longer required to get a children's phlebotomy appointment arranged by their GP. Simply use the relevant 'Book my blood test' button to the right of this page.
Please note that there are no children phlebotomy clinics in Knowsley. Parents and carers have to choose from one of the following:
- South Liverpool Treatment Centre, 3pm to 7pm each Tuesday (12 – 16 years)
- Old Swan Urgent Treatment Centre (Liverpool), 8.30am to 4.30pm each Wednesday (12 – 16 years)
- Sefton Road Family Health Clinic, 3pm to 7pm each Thursday (12 – 14 years)