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.

Telephone booking

Telephone booking system.

For those patients who wish to book phlebotomy appointments in Basildon, Thurrock and Southend but do not have access to the online booking system, please call our call centre on 01702 746065. The dedicated booking team is available to help Monday to Friday 8am to 12noon and 12.30pm to 3.45pm.

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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, Wednesday and Thursday, 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
    • Tuesday and Friday, 8am to 4pm
  • 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 - 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
  • Age 0-3 yrs -  Paediatric Outpatients, Southend Hospital, Carlingford Centre, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0RY 

  • Service provided by Trust Paediatric Outpatient Department. Please email mse.popdadmin@nhs.net with the child’s name, hospital/NHS number and a contact number. Your child will be added to a waiting list and contacted as soon as slots become available. Please note due to the current demand, you may experience a longer wait.

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 Friday, 8.15am - 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