Blood tests
Routine blood test across our mid and south Essex hospitals
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
- check if you have an infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
- screen for certain genetic conditions
Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and are carried out at either your GP surgery or one of our hospital or clinic locations.
Click on the name of the hospital below to get location and booking details and the clinic times. The clinics listed below are not for walk-in patients unless specified by their GP or referring clinician, who will arrange urgent tests when required.
Blood tests - Basildon University Hospital
Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions:
We are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection of COVID-19 and the safety of our patients and staff is an absolute priority. This is why the blood testing services and clinics in our region have changed during 2020. We closed many clinics to reduce the risk of infection and new clinics have opened to take their place in venues considered safer for both the patients and staff.
Please check the lists below so you are aware of the location of your nearest clinic or one that is convenient for you to travel to.
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php or telephone 01702 746065 for further assistance .
Booking is required - the clinics listed below are not for walk-in patients unless specified by their GP or referring clinician.
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
For the very latest information, please visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php
Clinic locations for patients requiring blood tests in the Basildon area:
- Basildon Hospital, SS16 5NL:
- Monday to Friday, 07.00 – 16.00
- Brentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, CM15 8DR:
- Tuesday 08.00 – 16.00
- Thursday & Friday 08.00 – 16.00
- Orsett Hospital, RM16 3EU:
- Monday to Thursday 07.00 - 19.00
- Friday 07.00 - 16.00
- Orsett Hospital (Adults only):
- Saturday 07.00 – 11.00
- St Andrews, Stock Road, CM12 0BH:
- Monday to Wednesday, and Friday 07.00 – 17:00
- Thursday 07.00 – 16.00
- St Mary’s Church Hall, Wickford, SS11 7JQ:
- Monday 07.30 – 15.00
- Tuesday 12.00 – 16.00
- Thursday 08.00 - 16.00
- Thurrock Community Hospital, RM16 2PX
- Tuesday to Thursday 07.00 – 13.00
Basildon paediatric services
- Orsett Hospital Age 11-16:
- Monday to Friday, 08.00-16.00, book through Swift Queue
- Basildon Hospital Age 4-11:
- Service provided by Trust Paediatric Outpatient Department
Additional information
Waiting times
There may be times where booked appointments are running late due to unforeseen circumstances. We will always let you know if there are any unexpected delays when you check in for your appointment.
In locations where there is no booking availability, you may experience a longer wait due to the unpredictable demand on the walk in service.
Fasting patients
Patients who have been requested to have a fasting blood test should not eat or drink anything, other than plain water, for 10 hours before attending for their blood test unless advised otherwise by their clinician. Take medication as normal. If medication has to be taken with food seek advice from your clinician.
Fasting Patients are reminded to bring something to eat and drink after their blood test
GTT Tests
Follow fasting information above. GTT Test require you to select the correct appointment type.
It requires two appointments at 2-hour intervals or three for antenatal visits.
Specialised tests
Some specialised tests can only be undertaken at the main phlebotomy clinic at Basildon University Hospital or Southend University Hospital where the phlebotomy clinic is situated close to the testing laboratory. Your doctor should advise you of this, and it may be indicated on your blood request form, but if in doubt please contact Phlebotomy Reception at either hospital for advice.
Difficult to bleed?
If you have experienced difficulty having a blood test speak with your phlebotomist prior to having your test.
Fainting
Some people get dizzy or faint during or after a blood test. A phlebotomist will advise you how to help this pass.
Bleeding
It is common to bleed after a blood test and it should stop quickly after a pad is applied.
Bruising
Bruising is common after a blood test. Rarely, a patient might bruise severely but bruising is not permanent and will heal.
Blood tests - Southend University Hospital
Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions
We are doing everything we can to minimise the risk of infection of COVID-19 and the safety of our patients and staff is an absolute priority. This is why the blood testing services and clinics in our region have changed during 2020. We closed many clinics to reduce the risk of infection and new clinics have opened to take their place in venues considered safer for both the patients and staff.
Please check the lists below so you are aware of the location of your nearest clinic or one that is convenient for you to travel to.
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php or telephone 01702 746065 for further assistance .
Booking is required - the clinics listed below are not for walk-in patients unless specified by their GP or referring clinician.
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
For the very latest information, please visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php
Clinic locations for patients requiring blood tests in the Southend area
As of Tuesday 21 September, a new blood-testing clinic will open in the Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend. The blood-testing clinic in the vaccination centre at Southend Hospital has now closed.
If you have an appointment at the vaccination centre at Southend Hospital after 17 September, you will be contacted to move your appointment to the new clinic.
The unit will operate 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with the last appointment 20 minutes before closing.
The address of the clinic is Unit G27-G28, The Victoria Shopping Centre, 362 Chartwell Square, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 5SP.
Parking is available in the multi-storey car park at the Victoria Shopping Centre, which is around a five-minute walk from the clinic.
Patients can book as normal via www.swiftqueue.co.uk or by telephone on 01702 746 065.
- Canvey OPD Syderfelt, SS8 0JA:
- Monday - Friday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Saturday & Sunday, 08.00 – 12.00
- Canvey PCC (Paddocks) SS8 0JA
- Monday - Friday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Hadleigh Clinic, Benfleet, SS7 2QL:
- Monday - Thursday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Leigh PCC 918 London Rd, SS9 3NG:
- Monday - Friday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Rayleigh Clinic, Eastwood Road, SS6 7JP:
- Tuesday & Thursday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Riverside Medical Centre, Hullbridge, SS5 6JY:
- Tuesday, 12.30 – 16.00
- Wednesday & Thursday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Tyrells Clinic, Benfleet, SS7 4EX:
- Monday - Friday 08.00 – 16.00
- Valkyrie PCC, Westcliff, SS0 8BU:
- Monday to Friday, 08.00 – 16.00
Southend paediatric service
- Southend Hospital, Age 4-16 yrs
- Monday & Thursday, 08.00 - 16.00
- Tuesday & Wednesday, 08.00 – 16.00
- Southend Hospital, Under 4 yrs
Additional information
Waiting times
There may be times where booked appointments are running late due to unforeseen circumstances. We will always let you know if there are any unexpected delays when you check in for your appointment.
In locations where there is no booking availability, you may experience a longer wait due to the unpredictable demand on the walk in service.
Fasting patients
Patients who have been requested to have a fasting blood test should not eat or drink anything, other than plain water, for 10 hours before attending for their blood test unless advised otherwise by their clinician. Take medication as normal. If medication has to be taken with food seek advice from your clinician.
Fasting Patients are reminded to bring something to eat and drink after their blood test
GTT Tests
Follow fasting information above. GTT Test require you to select the correct appointment type.
It requires two appointments at 2-hour intervals or three for antenatal visits.
Specialised tests
Some specialised tests can only be undertaken at the main phlebotomy clinic at Basildon University Hospital or Southend University Hospital where the phlebotomy clinic is situated close to the testing laboratory. Your doctor should advise you of this, and it may be indicated on your blood request form, but if in doubt please contact Phlebotomy Reception at either hospital for advice.
Difficult to bleed?
If you have experienced difficulty having a blood test speak with your phlebotomist prior to having your test.
Fainting
Some people get dizzy or faint during or after a blood test. A phlebotomist will advise you how to help this pass.
Bleeding
It is common to bleed after a blood test and it should stop quickly after a pad is applied.
Bruising
Bruising is common after a blood test. Rarely, a patient might bruise severely but bruising is not permanent and will heal.
Blood tests - Broomfield Hospital
Blood tests at Broomfield Hospital - opening times and booking details.
................................................................................................................................
You can now book a blood test appointment online!
Please follow the link below to register and book an appointment at any of our Mid-Essex Clinics
www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php
................................................................................................................................
7.15am to 5.45pm - Monday to Friday
Blood tests for children (16 and under) will only be seen at Broomfield and you can book for your child on Swift Queue or on the telephone. You will need to call 01245 516963 to book.
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
Appointment booking line is open Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Appointment only. Call - 01245 516963. To make appointment.
Blood tests – Chelmsford Central Health Hub (opening Monday 29 March)
Blood tests at Chelmsford Central Health Hub - opening times and booking details.
Chelmsford Central Health Hub
Duke’s Walk
Duke Street
Chelmsford
CM1 1GZ
7.15am to 2.45pm - Monday to Friday.
................................................................................................................................
You can now book a blood test appointment online!
Please follow the link below to register and book an appointment at any of our Mid-Essex Clinics
www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php
................................................................................................................................
Appointment only, book on SwiftQueue or call - 01245 516963 to make appointment.
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
Parking is available at the Fairfield Road car park, entrance on Coval Lane, CM1 1TD. Please note there is a £1.50 parking charge at this facility. The hub is a short walk from Chelmsford bus and rail stations.
If you need more information, please contact the call centre team on 01245 516963.
Blood tests - St Michael’s Day Hospital
Blood tests at St Michael’s Day Hospital - opening times and booking details
................................................................................................................................
You can now book a blood test appointment online!
Please follow the link below to register and book an appointment at any of our Mid-Essex Clinics
www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php
................................................................................................................................
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
Appointment only 7.15am to 3.45pm - Monday to Friday
Call 01245 516963 to make appointment.
Blood tests - St Peter's Hospital
Blood tests at St Peter's Hospital - opening times and booking details
................................................................................................................................
You can now book a blood test appointment online!
Please follow the link below to register and book an appointment at any of our Mid-Essex Clinics
www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php
................................................................................................................................
To ensure social distancing we request you do not arrive earlier than five minutes before your appointment time.
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not attend your appointment.
St Peter’s Hospital phlebotomy is open from 7.15am to 2.15pm for appointments only.
All appointments will need to be booked in advance via 01245 516963.