Blood tests for 4 year old - anyone been somewhere other than paeds?

[Knomester]

Hello

My 4 year old needs blood tests. The earliest appointment I can get in paeds at King's is in 2 and 1/2 weeks time, which is too long a wait. The only alternative seems to be that I take him to the adult blood clinic at King's or Dulwich Hospital (if they allow children - I'll check today). Has anyone done this?

Thanks.

[Fuschia]

How about st Thomas?

Though any phlebotomist should do a good, very gentle job.

Call dulwich and check they do emla, perhaps get it from the chemist and apply it yourself first (both arms) so you can be in and out really fast

[EDmummy]

Info here for Kings http://www.kch.nhs.uk/service/a-z/phlebotomy. If the test are urgent then your GP or referer should be able to get you a quicker appointment at Kings.

[njc97]

We were referred to Honor Oak Surgery: http://www.honoroakgrouppractice.co.uk/ as our local GP didnt do (paeds?) blood tests anymore.

[Knomester]

Thank you all. Back to the GP I think to ask for them to change the request from normal to urgent as under 14s have to go to paeds. King's said they have a backlog, but we can't wait that long.

[Kes]

Don't know if it helps but we had to take our daughter for a blood test at the Evalina at St Thomas' a few years ago. We had a referal note but as I remember it was just turn up and wait like the adult bloods at Dulwich hospital. We didn't wait long and the phlebotomist was wonderful, far better than the Doctor who had made a right mess of it in A and E previously.

She also gave me a tip - they had given us a gel to put on my daughters arm to numb the pain of the needle but apparently this can make the vein harder to find. so after struggling we used the other arm, without the gel and it was all over in moments.

[Fuschia]

One tip is to make sure the child is well hydrated and wear a long sleeve top so the arm is warm. Also a couple of chocolates for distraction is a good idea and the sugar reduces any pain

[Knomester]

Thanks so much for these tips - really helpful.