A blood test is taking a sample of blood for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common type of medical tests.

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
  • screen for certain genetic conditions

Please remember we can only perform a blood test if you bring your request forms with you.  If your GP referred you please check that your current GP’s name and address are listed on the referral form to ensure results are sent correctly.

If your doctor has referred you for a blood test, please book your phlebotomy (blood test) appointment online in advance.

The system helps to keep patients safer through social distancing by reducing the number of patients in any one location at a specific time. At the moment, you can only book your appointment up to seven days in advance.

How to book your phlebotomy appointment

If you have a registered MyCare UCLH (patient portal) account, just sign into MyCare on your computer, phone or tablet and select “Book a new appointment”.

If you do not have a MyCare UCLH account, you can still book your appointment online here

Follow the steps below to complete your booking.

  1. Choose a specialty: Phlebotomy will already be selected for you.
  2. Choose a type of appointment:
    • UCLH requested blood test (Only select this option if a UCLH doctor referred you for a blood test. Please do NOT select this option if your GP referred you as we will NOT have your referral form)
    • GP requested blood test (Select this option if your GP referred you for a blood test at a participating GP practice)
  3. Choose a time: Click on the “All” buttons to select or deselect available locations and days.
  4. Confirm and schedule: Check appointment details and click on “BOOK IT!”
  5. You’re almost done:
    • Schedule as a guest (add your patient information and confirm your details if you are not a MyCare UCLH patient portal user
      or
    • Log in and schedule it (use this option if you are a registered MyCare UCLH patient portal user).

If you are unable to book online or have issues with your booking, please contact the UCLH Pathology team.

Tel: 020 3447 9051 (between 09:00 and 17:00 weekdays)
Email: uclh.patientbloodtestrequest@nhs.net

Please observe any special instructions your referring healthcare professional may relay to you about preparations prior to your blood tests such as:

If your doctor has asked you to fast please do not eat or drink anything except for water for 12 hours prior to having your blood test.

Please inform the phlebotomist if you have had any problems with previous blood tests such as feeling faint or if you are taking any blood thinning medications such as warfarin or aspirin.  You may have been asked by your healthcare professional to stop taking a certain medication prior to your test.

A test usually involves placing a needle attached to a blood-collecting container into one of the blood vessels in the inside of your elbow or the back of your hand. You will feel a sharp scratch as the needle goes in but this isn't usually particularly painful.

A sample of blood is then taken and the needle is removed. The staff will apply a cottonwool pad to put pressure on the site of the needle puncture.

Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete.

If you do not like needles and injections, please tell the person who is taking the sample so they can make you more comfortable.

Our phlebotomists send your blood sample to our laboratory where it will be examined and/or tested with chemicals depending on what is being checked.
Most blood test results are returned to the requesting healthcare professional within a week. 

Results are not returned to the blood test department.

The only appointment we require booking for is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT/GTT). This test requires fasting. Please allow for 2 and a quarter hour for testing completion. Please email: uclh.patientbloodtestrequest@nhs.net to book.

Service management

Other contact information

GP results enquiries: 020 3447 8961/020 3447 9953

Address

 

 

 This phlebotomy service is need to be pre-booked online via MyCare:      

Read more about the new booking service

  • University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, First floor, Outpatient, Clinic E, London NW1 2BU Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 18:00 UCLH patients only
  • University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, Huntley Street, -1 Level, London WC1E 6AG Monday - Thursday, 08:30 - 18:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:45
  • National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, Basil Samuel Outpatient, London WC1N 3BG Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 08:30 - 16:45, Wednesday 08:30 - 17:45
  • Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market, Capper Street, Second floor, Outpatient, London WC1E 6JB Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:45
  • UCH at Westmoreland Street, 16 - 18 Westmoreland Street, Ground floor, London W1G 8PH Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:15
  • Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing Integrated Antenatal Services, 25 Grafton Way, First floor, London WC1E 6DB Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:15

Phlebotomy ward round procedure

  1. Phlebotomy ward round begins at 08:00
  2. Requests for the day should be made within Epic before 8:00am with order class phleb am draw.
  3. All blood transfusion requests require a paper form. Please ensure these are supplied to phlebotomist before samples are obtained. No samples should be obtained without an Epic request/paper request form.

NB: Please plan your workload to ensure ward completion by 12:00.

Weekend and bank holiday completion by 14:00*

  1. The phlebotomist should aim to finish the round by 12:00*. If ward round is completed earlier than 12:00* phlebotomist will leave the ward to assist in other areas.
  2. Any additional/urgent requests made after 08:00 can only be reviewed if time permits and the phlebotomist has been alerted. Other arrangements may need to be made if time does not permit.
  3. The phlebotomy ward round must end by 12:00* to allow the Pplebotomist to attend outpatient clinics.
  4. Status of requests should be reviewed after 12:00* within Chart Review under the Labs tab:
  • Active – needs to be collected – bloods have not been collected
  • Active Collected bloods have been collected
  • Active in Process bloods have been collected and sent to the laboratory
  • Completed results available

Active Future bloods have yet to be collected

Please note that other arrangements may need to be made for any outstanding requests

This phlebotomy service is pre-booked only online via MyCare:

  • Finsbury Health Centre (service by appointment only), 17 Pine Street, London EC1R 0JH
    Monday, Wednesday and Friday 08:30 – 12:30 Tuesday and Thursday 08:30 – 17:30 *Lunch closure 13:00 - 14:00
  • Hunter Street Clinic (service by appointment only), 8 Hunter Street, Kings Cross, London WC1N 1BN
    Monday and Friday, 08:00 – 16:30
  • James Wigg Practice (service by appointment only), 2 Bartholomew Road, London NW5 2BX
    Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 16:30 (lunch closure 13:00 - 14:00)
  • River Place Heath Centre (service by appointment only), Essex Road, London N1 2DE
    Tuesday and Thursday 08:00 – 16:30, Wednesday 08:00 – 12:00 (lunch closure 13:00 – 14:00)