Blood Tests

Due to ongoing pressure on NHS services, there are fewer appointments avaiable for blood test appointments.

If your hospital consultant has requested that you have a blood test you should attend one of the following walk-in-services:

 

Dorset County Hospital - Monday to Friday 9.00 - 1.00pm - Medical Outpatient Department, North Wing Level 1

Please remember to take your hospital blood form with you in order for your test to be taken.

A 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.

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