Important Information for Your Visit to Alder Hey Phlebotomy Clinic – Please Read Before Attending
To help ensure your child’s blood test experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible, please take a moment to read the following guidance before your appointment:
Blood Test Request Form (GP Blood requests)
Please remember to bring the blood test request form with you to your appointment – this should have been provided by your GP and is essential for the clinic to carry out the test.
Clinic Location
Please double-check your appointment letter or message to see whether you should attend G2 Reception (Main Building), Catkin Reception, or Southport Health and Wellbeing Hub Reception, as Alder Hey has more than one clinic location.
Magic Cream & Cold Spray (Topical Anaesthetic)
To help make the blood test more comfortable, we can apply a numbing cream or cold spray to the area beforehand. If you would like this for your child or young person, we kindly ask that you arrive 30–40 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for the anaesthetic to take effect. When you arrive, please let the reception team know that you would like this option. If your child or young person has any known allergies—particularly to Ametop, Emla, or cold spray—please inform a member of staff before application. More information.
This page provides helpful information if you or your child or young person are attending Alder Hey for a blood test. This service is sometimes referred to as the ‘Phlebotomy’ service and the staff who take blood samples are called ‘Phlebotomists’.
About the service
The Phlebotomy service is available by appointment only, which can be booked via the telephone line on 0151 282 4589 (Line open from 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays).
Phlebotomy appointments are available from 08:15 to 17:45 for appointments requested by your GP, and from 08:15 to 17:00 for Alder Hey Phlebotomy requests.
If you need to cancel your Phlebotomy appointment, please call 0151 282 4589 (Line open from 08:30 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays) or visit https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/visiting/outpatient-appointments/change-cancel/, alternatively you will be able to cancel via the text reminder.
GP Blood requests
If you or your young person is 12 years or above and not under a clinician at Alder Hey, your GP will direct you to Mersey Care in the community to have your bloods taken.
Our Team
We have a friendly team who will support you and your child/young person during your visit to Alder Hey, if there is anything worrying you – please ask to speak to the nurse in charge.
Our Resources
For information on what to expect before, during and after your or your child/young person’s Phlebotomy appointment, please read the Phlebotomy Information Leaflet.
For our younger children, we have also developed this video of what to expect:
Please note
If you are attending Alder Hey for a blood test, please bring your GP request form with you to your appointment.
Health Play Specialist
We have a health play team within the Outpatients Department. A Health Play Specialist uses therapeutic play, tools and strategies to prepare and distract children and young people during medical procedures. A Health Play Specialist is available between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00 to provide support on the day for your blood test. Please let a member of the outpatient team know if you would like the support of the play team.
Learning Disability and Autism Team
The team support children and young people with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism, who attend Alder Hey Hospital for an appointment. We are aware that coming to hospital can often be a stressful and overwhelming time for you and your child. We are here to make this journey positive and successful, ensuring that your child can access the care that is required.
For more useful information to help you or your child or young person prepare for a visit to our hospital head to https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/visiting/before/