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 and surrounding areas
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 needing blood tests in the Basildon area:
- Basildon Hospital, SS16 5NL:
- Monday to Friday, 7.10am – 3.45pm
- Saturday 7.15am - 10.45am
- Brentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, CM15 8DR:
- Tuesday 8am – 4pm
- Thursday & Friday 8am - 4pm
- Corringham Integrated Medical & Wellbeing Centre, The Sorrells, Corringham, SS17 7ES:
- Monday to Wednesday 8:10am - 3.45pm
- Orsett Hospital, RM16 3EU:
- Monday to Thursday 7.10am - 6.45pm
- Friday 7am - 4.45pm
- South Ockendon, Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 5LP
- 8.10am to 12.00 noon and from 12.30pm to 3.40pm
- St Andrews, Stock Road, CM12 0BH:
- Monday to Friday 7.15am - 2.45pm
- St Mary’s Church Hall, Wickford, SS11 7JQ:
- Monday 7.30am - 3pm
- Tuesday 12noon - 4pm
- Thursday 8am - 4pm
- Thurrock Community Hospital, RM16 2PX
- Tuesday to Thursday 7.10am - 12.45pm
Basildon paediatric services
- Orsett Hospital Age 11-16:
- Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm, 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 - Thurrock
- Corringham Integrated Medical & Wellbeing Centre, The Sorrells, Corringham, SS17 7ES:
- Telephone 01702 746 065
- Monday to Friday 11.30am - 3.30pm
- Thurrock Community Hospital, RM16 2PX
- Tuesday to Thursday 7.10am - 12.45pm
- South Ockendon, Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 5LP
- 8.10am - 12noon
- 12.30pm - 3.45pm
To book, patients should visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php or telephone 01702 746 065.
Blood tests - Southend and surrounding areas
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.
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 needing blood tests in the Southend area:
Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend is now the blood-testing clinic in Southend. The blood-testing clinic in the vaccination centre at Southend Hospital is closed.
- Victoria Shopping Centre, Unit G27-G28 Southend, SS2 5SP:
- Monday - Friday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Saturday 7.40am - 11.15am
- Paediatric service aged 14 plus, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8.15am - 3.30pm
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 https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/ippmain.php or by telephone on 01702 746 065.
- Canvey PCC (Paddocks) SS8 0JA
- Monday - Friday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Hadleigh Clinic, Benfleet, SS7 2QL:
- Monday - Thursday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Leigh PCC 918 London Rd, SS9 3NG:
- Monday - Friday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Rayleigh Clinic, Eastwood Road, SS6 7JP:
- Tuesday & Thursday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Riverside Medical Centre, Hullbridge, SS5 6JY:
- Tuesday, 12.40pm to 3.45pm
- Wednesday 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Tyrells Clinic, Benfleet, SS7 4EX:
- Monday - Friday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
- Valkyrie PCC, Westcliff, SS0 8BU:
- Monday to Friday, 8.10am to 3.45pm
Southend paediatric service
- Victoria Shopping Centre, Unit G27-G28 Southend, SS2 5SP, Age 4-16 yrs
- Monday to Thursday, 8.15am and 3.30pm
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
Broomfield Hospital, Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
- 7.15am to 5.45pm - Monday to Friday
Blood tests for children (16 and under) will only be seen at Broomfield .
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php or for routine blood test booking please ring 01245 516963. Appointment booking line is open Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Booking is required - the clinics listed 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/midessex.php
Blood tests – Chelmsford Central Health Hub
Chelmsford Central Health Hub Duke’s Walk, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1GZ
- 7.15am to 2.45pm - Monday to Friday
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php or for routine blood test booking please ring 01245 516963. Appointment booking line is open Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Booking is required - the clinics listed 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/midessex.php
Blood tests - St Michael’s Day Hospital
St Michael’s Day Hospital, Rayne Rd, Braintree CM7 2QU:
- Appointment only 7.15am to 3.45pm - Monday to Friday
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php or for routine blood test booking please ring 01245 516963. Appointment booking line is open Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Booking is required - the clinics listed 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/midessex.php
Blood tests - St Peter's Hospital
.St Peter’s Hospital, Spital Rd, Maldon CM9 6EG
- 7.15am to 2.15pm for appointments only.
To book a blood test, visit https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php or for routine blood test booking please ring 01245 516963. Appointment booking line is open Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Booking is required - the clinics listed 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/midessex.php