When you attend for a test of any kind you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results. Please bear this in mind and only call the surgery after sufficient time has elapsed.

Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.

Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.

Blood tests (phlebotomy) are available at the New QEII on the ground floor next to the Urgent Care Centre.

Blood test appointments, requested by GPs, should now be booked online.  This is to help maximise the number of appointments we can offer to patients, minimise queues and continue to maintain social distancing in waiting areas.

The current walk-in service will remain in place for those attending outpatient appointments.

You should book your appointment using the links below:

• Lister Hospital
• New QEII Hospital
• Hertford County Hospital

If the patient is under 10 years old, please book using the following link:

• Lister Hospital (Children)

There are limited appointments for children under 10 available at Hertford County Hospital and New QEII Hospital. Please call the Phlebotomy team below to book.

In order to book your appointment, you will need your NHS number, postcode, name, date of birth and mobile phone number.

Attending your appointment:

When you arrive for your appointment, please go to the phlebotomy reception area at the hospital and provide your name and your appointment time.

Please arrive promptly and ideally no earlier than five minutes beforehand to help ensure social distancing.

Frequently asked questions

What if I am unable to book online?
If you are unable to book online, please call the phlebotomy team on 01438 284044 Monday-Friday between 8-9am and 1-2pm. The team will be happy to book your appointment for you. To complete the booking, the team will need to know the hospital where you would like to have the blood test, your NHS number, name, address, date of birth and mobile phone number.

How do I cancel an appointment?
If you need to cancel your appointment, please click on the cancellation link in your text message.

Can someone book on my behalf?
Yes. You will need to know the patient’s NHS number, name, address and date of birth.

How will I know if I have booked an appointment?
You will receive a confirmation text message with details of the appointment you have booked shortly after you completed the booking form. A reminder text message will be sent 7am on the morning of your appointment.

Can I bring someone else with me to my appointment?
Due to limited spaces and social distancing measures, we ask that you attend alone wherever possible. If you cannot attend by yourself, please only bring one person with you.

I’m running late for my appointment, will it still be able to happen?
If you know you are going to be late, don’t worry, we will try to accommodate you as best we can. We will not turn you away if you arrive late, but you may have to wait longer.

I forgot when my appointment is booked for?
You should receive a text confirming when your appointment is and a reminder on the day of the appointment. However if you did not receive this, please call the phlebotomy team between on 01438 284044 Monday-Friday between 8-9am and 1-2pm.

Can I book a blood test if I am pregnant?
Yes. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact your community midwife.

What if I am already at the hospital for another appointment?
Walk-in appointments are available for those attending outpatient appointments

What if you do not have any slots within the timeframe my GP has requested them?
GPs will still be offering appointments at their surgery. Alternatively, you can try to book at one of the other hospital sites.

I do not know my NHS number, where can I find this?
There is guidance on the NHS website about how to find your NHS number.

To contact phlebotomy call:

• 01438 284044 Monday-Friday between 8-9am and 1-2pm.

The anti-coagulation services takes place in New QEII Hospital on Level 1, Yellow Zone.

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have an X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.

If you are asked by a GP or nurse to have a fasting sample blood test, please do not eat or drink anything from approx 8-9pm the previous evening and book the test for early morning.  You should only be drinking water and not any tea/coffee/juices or milk.  It is ok to tak any existing mediation with water if necessary.

When will I know the result?  Please remove that you can phone the surgery (whole of last sentence) and amend to read The surgery will advise you by text or Email if you need to discuss your results with a GP, assuming you do not already have an appointment booked.  The surgery will advise you by text or email if you need to discuss your results with a GP.  You can telephone the surgery to check your results if you have not heard from us and test results can be printed if required.