Blood Samples
How to access the Blood Taking Service at Northampton General Hospital (please click the link for hospital information)
Appointments for blood taking can be booked online by clicking here or by going to https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/northampton.php
If you are unable to book via the online facility, appointments for both paediatric and adult blood taking can be booked Monday to Friday between 9am and 12:00pm by phoning 01604 544190 or 01604 523303
All patients must have an appointment to attend the blood taking unit.
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-tests/