There are a number of places to get an NHS Blood Test in Sheffield. Here are a few options for local Phlebotomy.
Carrfield Medical Centre operates a phlebotomy service for patients registered with the practice and aged 16+. If you need a blood test one of the Practice Team will book you in for an appointment in the appropriate clinic, which takes place at the Surgery in Carrfield Road, Sheffield.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has an Outpatient Phlebotomy department located on C Floor of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. This service is open Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 5:20pm and Saturday 8am - 1pm. The contact number is 0114 271 2838.
They also operate a drive-through blood taking service located at City Parkway, Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WA. This service is open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 7.30am - 5.15pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Neither the Outpatient clinic at the Royal Hallamshire nor the Drive-Through service at City Parkway require an appointment, although before you attend please ensure your doctor has placed an order on the system or you have a relevant request form. Please be advised that waiting times may vary and can sometimes be lengthy if demand is high.
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.
