Blood tests
You will need to book an appointment for your blood test. This service is for patients under the care of West Suffolk Hospital or GPs within the local area.
Booking appointments
Your doctor will need to request blood tests for you. In order to have a blood test at Mildenhall Health Centre, Newmarket Community Hospital or Sudbury Health Centre you must provide a paper copy of a blood test request form – this will be provided by your GP surgery. If you are having your blood test at West Suffolk Hospital, please bring a paper copy of the blood test request form if you have one, however these can be printed from the local IT system if required in most cases.
Book your blood test via Swiftqueue at Mildenhall Health Centre, Newmarket Community Hospital, Sudbury Health Centre, or West Suffolk Hospital.
If you are unable to book online, you can telephone 01638 590788 – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This number will allow you to book, check and cancel blood test appointments at all of our locations.
Your appointment
When you attend your blood test appointment, please ensure you wear clothing that gives easy access to your arm.
Surplus samples may be considered for quality control or other purposes, such as equipment validation - no testing will be performed beyond that which has been requested by your clinician. Please inform the person collecting your sample if you do not wish for your blood sample to be used for this purpose.
Blood tests for children
Children under five years of age will be seen in children’s outpatients. Please call 01284 713928 to arrange an appointment.
Children aged five to ten inclusive (i.e. up to their eleventh birthday) are required to attend West Suffolk Hospital for a blood test and must make an appointment in advance by calling 01284 713713.
Children aged eleven years and over can be booked into any of the clinics by following the process at the top of this page.
Patients with additional needs
Please call 01638 558442 during the following times:
- Monday – Thursday: 8am – 4pm
- Friday: 8am – 1pm
Information for people who are trans
If your affirmed gender is not the same as your biological sex, please make sure staff are aware when attending for your blood test. This is because in a very few instances it could affect the interpretation of your results or treatment given to you. If you have any concerns about this, please talk to the doctor or clinician who has asked you to have your blood taken.
Urgent blood tests
A number of appointments are reserved for urgent tests which will be arranged by medical staff.
What if I no longer require my appointment?
Please cancel your appointment online or by phoning 01638 590788.
By cancelling your appointment, you allow another patient to book that for their own blood test.
Approximately 5% of appointments are missed by patients that are no longer able to attend. Please help us to reduce our waiting times by cancelling unused appointments.
What if I am unable to book my own blood test?
The online booking system SwiftQueue, can be used by a family member or carer to book an appointment for someone that is unable to do this for themselves.
Bookings can also be made by phoning 01638 590788. If an urgent blood test is required, the clinic will book the patient in.
Can regular appointments be booked?
Yes, future appointments can be booked, however we ask that any unused appointments are cancelled as soon as possible if they are not required so that others can use them.
Service feedback
If you have any feedback regarding the Phlebotomy service and your experience, good or bad, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
You can also provide feedback to the team at any of our locations via the feedback forms which can be placed in the box located by the form or use the QR feedback codes displayed with instructions. Alternatively, you can email the team directly via phlebotomy@wsh.nhs.uk