Blood Tests and Phlebotomy
OVERVIEW:
Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood and is performed primarily to diagnose and monitor a patient's condition. It involves highly developed and rigorously tested procedures and equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of the patient and the integrity of the sample collected.
Please only proceed if your GP is within the Wigan Borough.
We are unable to accept blood requests from GP’s in neighbouring Trusts.
- ABOUT US
Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood and is performed primarily to diagnose and monitor a patient's condition. It involves highly developed and rigorously tested procedures and equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of the patient and the integrity of the sample collected. Blood is collected by both a venous (venepuncture) and capillary blood sample collection service to inpatient and outpatient services at the hospital, as well as to GPs and other hospitals.
- HOSPITAL CLINICS
Leigh Infirmary - The Phlebotomy service at Leigh Infirmary is open from 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday for all Outpatient and GP bloods.
Please Note all Non-Urgent Outpatient and GP Bloods are strictly by Appointment only
Wrightington Hospital - The Phlebotomy service at Wrightington Hospital is based at Ward 6 for blood tests, and is open from 7.30am to 11.30am Monday to Friday. All patients need to book an appointment through the online service or with the Contact Centre 0300 555 4567 Option 3 (Local Rate) for this service.
Thomas Linacre Centre - The Thomas Linacre Centre is open from 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday for all Outpatient and GP bloods.
Please Note all Non Urgent GP Bloods are strictly by appointment only. Hospital/Consultant forms do not need an appointment please attend Suite One Phlebotomy Dept
Please note that we do not take blood from children under the age of 12. Appointments for children under the age of 12 are available by ringing 01942 483483.
- COMMUNITY CLINICS
A limited number of Community Clinics are available in and around the Wigan, Leigh and Wrightington area. To book appointments please contact 0300 555 4567 Option 3 (Local Rate).
Area: Aspull
Surgery: Haigh Road, Aspull
Postcode: WN2 1XHArea: Astley
Surgery: Coldalhurst Lane Surgery, Astley
Postcode: M29 7BSArea: Atherton
Surgery: Nelson Street, Off Bag Lane
Postcode: M46 0LEArea: Ashton
Surgery: Council Avenue (off Bryn Street)
Postcode: WN4 8AZArea: Bradshaw Street (Only bookable by patients whose GP is based at this clinic)
Surgery: Bradshaw Street, Orrell, Wigan
Postcode: WN5 0ABArea: Bridgewater
Surgery: Henry Street, Leigh
Postcode: WN7 2PEArea: Chandler House
Surgery: Worsley Mesnes Health Centre, Poolstock Lane, Wigan
Postcode: WN3 5HL
Area: Golborne
Surgery: Lowton Road, Golborne
Postcode: WA3 3EGArea: Hindley Health Centre
Surgery: Liverpool Road, Hindley, Wigan
Postcode: WN2 3HQArea: Shevington
Surgery: Miles Lane, Shevington
Postcode: WN6 8EWArea: Newtown Medical Practice
Surgery: Sherwood Drive, Wigan
Postcode: WN5 9QXArea: Standish Clinic
Surgery: High Street, Standish
Postcode: WN6 0HDArea: Tyldesley Clinic
Surgery: Poplar Street, Tyldesley
Postcode: M29 8AXArea: Wrightington
Surgery: Hall Lane, Appley Bridge
Postcode: WN6 9EFArea: Tyldesley
Surgery: Parr Bridge, Parr Bridge Retail Park
Postcode: M29 8RZ
- NHS PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE PRIORITY BLOOD TESTS FOR CARERS WITH AN EMERGENCY CARERS CARD
A considerable amount of Carers have their own existing health needs, which may include regular blood tests. Leaving the cared for person to attend their own appointments can create anxiety for Carers.
The Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre working in partnership with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, Phlebotomy Service and Wigan Borough Carers (Wigan Council), have created an Emergency Carers Card to access priority bloods for Unpaid / Family Carers.
Carers who are registered with the Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre can access this Emergency Carers Card to use when attending the Phlebotomy clinic, making the Phlebotomy service aware of their Carer status. This will then enable Carers to be prioritised and allow convenient and timely appointments, relieving the anxiety caused by long waiting times.
For further information, please contact Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre Tel: 01942 697885
Find out more about Carer Support services visit:
Wigan and Leigh Carers here: https://wlcccarers.com/ or call 01942 697885
Wigan Borough Carers (Wigan Council) here: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Health-Social-Care/Adults/Community-support/Support-for-carers/Index.aspx
- WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY BLOOD TEST?
Please bring the request form supplied by your consultant or GP. We will not be able to carry out a blood test without a current/completed request form or Visit ID Number.
If you have been fasting we recommend you bring a drink and snack to have after your blood test has been completed.
Depending on how busy we are, you may have to wait to be seen. Please be prepared for spending some time in our waiting area.
- BLOOD TEST RESULTS
After the blood sample has been taken, it will be put into a bottle and labelled with your name and details. It will then be sent to a laboratory where the specified tests will be carried out.
The results are sent back to the Consultant or to your GP, results are not available from phlebotomy. Some test results will be ready the same day or a few days later, although others may not be available for a few weeks.
- BLOOD TESTS FOR CHILDREN
Blood tests for children under the age of 12 please phone 01942 483483.
Blood tests for children over the age of 12 follow insert web link or contact 0300 555 4567 Option 3 (Local Rate).
- FASTING BLOOD TESTS
Your doctor has requested that you attend for a fasting blood test. This may be for glucose or lipid/cholesterol testing.
For this test to be performed you are required to fast overnight prior to the blood test. This means that you should consume no food or drink (except plain water) for up to 10 hours before the blood test.
You may continue to drink water during the fast but not more than the equivalent amount of fluid you would normally drink in that period.
Please continue to take any prescribed medication with water only.
Failure to comply with this fasting period may result in unclear results being obtained, which could be misinterpreted or require a repeat of the entire procedure.
- URINE AND STOOL SAMPLES
24 HOUR Urine Tests can be dropped off at either TLC or Leigh Infirmary blood room. The patients name must be on the bottle as well as the form with both placed in the bag provided.
Stool Samples can be dropped off at TLC or Leigh Infirmary blood room. There is a white box/yellow bucket specifically for samples or they can be handed in to the Nurse.