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 also note our GP services only accept referrals from the North Central London sector (NCL).
If your GP referred you, we can only perform a blood test if you bring your request forms with you. Please check that your GP’s name and address are listed on the referral form to ensure results are sent correctly.
If your clinician has referred you for a blood test, please book your blood test appointment (phlebotomy) online in advance.
How to book your blood test appointment
You can use an online booking system called Swiftqueue to book most adult blood test appointments at UCLH sites to help you plan your visit:
Book your blood test appointment now
This replaced the booking link through MyCare. If you already have appointments booked with us, these are unaffected by this change and you should attend as planned.
There is no change to where you see us for these appointments and the walk-in service remains as it is now.
Book and register
The first time you use the system to book a blood test appointment, you will need to register for an account. You can then view all your blood test appointments in your Swiftqueue account where you can cancel or reschedule them as needed.
- See our patient information leaflet for details: Book your blood test appointment online - patient information sheet.
If you need help
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.
Check-in kiosk (tablet) and electronic screen when you arrive
When you come to a clinic at UCLH for your blood test appointment, you will notice a check-in kiosk or tablet. Use it to check in and avoid queuing at reception.
You will be called in for your appointment by a new electronic screen rather than reception staff. The new system supports a more efficient running of our clinics.
If you arrive for your blood test without a pre-booked appointment, you can still use the check-in kiosk to find the next available slot:
- On the screen, select "Walk in - I do not have an appointment"
- Check the next available slot and number of patients waiting
- Select next available slot or view more options and select another time
- Add your name and initials and confirm
Bookings through Macmillan Cancer Centre
If you are a patient receiving treatment at the Macmillan Cancer Centre, staff will continue to book your blood test appointments and communicate the day and time to you.
You can then view your appointments for a blood test (phlebotomy) on your computer, phone or tablet through Swiftqueue.
If you are having chemotherapy in daycare at the Macmillan Cancer Centre, the administration team will book your appointment. It is essential to have your bloods on the allocated day to enable your treatment to go ahead. If you need to change the appointment, please contact the administration team.
All other appointments you can book through Swiftqueue yourself. You can also use your Swiftqueue account to then change or cancel your appointments as needed.
If you have queries about your blood test appointment, please contact the relevant clinical team:
- Chemotherapy Daycare – 0203 447 9333 uclh.
chemotherapy. daycare @nhs.net - Supportive Care – 0203 4471808 uclh.
supportivecaredaycareteam @nhs.net - Outpatient clinic – Please refer to contact details on your outpatient appointment letter.
Bookings through your GP
If your GP book blood test appointments on your behalf, they can also do this through Swiftqueue.
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 Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT/GTT) requires fasting and please allow for 2 and a quarter hours for testing completion. Please email uclh.
General enquiries
Service management
Roy Stuart
Other contact information
GP results enquiries: 020 3447 9953
Address
This phlebotomy service needs to be pre-booked.
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, 09:00 – 16:45
- UCH at Westmoreland Street, 16 - 18 Westmoreland Street, Ground floor, London W1G 8PH Monday - Friday, 09:00 – 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
- Phlebotomy ward round begins at 08:00
- Requests for the day should be made within Epic before 8:00am with order class phleb am draw.
- 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*
- 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.
- 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.
- The phlebotomy ward round must end by 12:00* to allow the Pplebotomist to attend outpatient clinics.
- 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
GP request form during a system downtime
Appointments for this phlebotomy service should be booked in advance
- Hunter Street Clinic (service by appointment only), 8 Hunter Street, Kings Cross, London WC1N 1BN
Monday - 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 Health 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)