Blood test service

Blood tests are carried out to help in the diagnosis, care and treatment of various health conditions and diseases and can be requested by your GP, specialist team or nurse.

They will give you a blood test form and provide you with information about preparation for your test.

This will include:

• Glucose tests* - have nothing to eat for 10 hours; drink only tap water.
• Cholesterol tests - have nothing to eat for 12 hours; drink only tap water
• Fasting lipids - have nothing to eat for 12 hours; drink only tap water

Drinking water makes it easier to take blood please take all medication with water, as usual, before your test (apart from Digoxin which cannot be taken less than six hours before a blood test).

If you are having a fasting blood test, medication taken with food will need to wait until after the test.

*If you have been asked to have a glucose tolerance test please contact us to book an appointment.

Please note that the test will take two hours to complete.

Drop-in for your blood test

Our clinics are held at a choice of venues and are run on a drop-in basis - no appointment is necessary (apart from Quayside House and Grain Village Hall).

This means you can choose when and where you have your blood test.

Due to the drop-in nature of our clinics, we may on occasion have to change our clinic times at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff sickness, or to allow us enough time to see those who are already waiting.

Blood tests for children

If your child needs a blood test you can either choose to attend the drop-in clinics or to have a booked appointment.

Blood tests for children often require more time allocated in order for our staff to reassure them and for you to help calm them before the blood test is taken.

A booked appointment means you have a set time for the test, which avoids any potential waiting time and so reduces your child’s anxiety levels prior to going in to the clinic.

Find out more about the blood test service.

Mch House
Bailey Drive
Gillingham
Kent
ME8 0PZ