Blood Tests

blood_tests_4A 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.

The local phlebotomy clinic is provide by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and is based at he Ryde Health and Wellbeing Centre in Pellhurst Road. If you have an electronically printed blood form, the opening times are printed in the top right hand corner of your blood form.

Please note that some blood tests can be taken at St Mary's Hospital only due to the nature of the test.

 
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