NELFT BHR Blood Test Service (Phlebotomy)

COVID-19 update

Our services are still running during the pandemic. We have clinics running across Barking, Havering and Redbridge operating Monday to Sunday between 8am and 4pm.  See below for details of how to book your blood test.

Our Community Phlebotomy (blood testing) service operates from various sites across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. This service is offered to anyone registered to a GP in Barking and Dagenham, Havering or Redbridge and is over 12 years of age.

A pilot community blood testing service began w/c 28 June 2021 in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. It aims to continue to improve access to phlebotomy services across BHR, reduce waiting times and ensure urgent tests can be booked for the same or next day. Blood tests will be also be available at weekends at some sites. The target is for all patients to be able to have their blood test within seven days. All bookings and cancellations can be made online or by phone.

The pilot service is being developed by NEL CCG, North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) and primary care providers, who have worked together to ensure that phlebotomy services meet the needs of local people throughout the pandemic.  

The latest stakeholder update regarding this service can be found on our website.

If you have any comments or queries about this pilot, please email nelondon.bhrphlebotomyservice.nelccg@nhs.net

  • There are currently no walk-in services available for Barking and Dagenham, Havering or Redbridge patients – all blood tests must be booked in advance.
  • Blood tests for children under 12 are carried out by appointment only by the BHRUT Children’s Outpatient department.
  • Always take your paper blood test form to your appointment as this is needed to process your blood test. If you have a blood test form from BHRUT, this can also be used at community sites.

We also provide home visit (domiciliary) services to housebound patients who are over 16 years of age. Access to the domiciliary service is by referral from GPs or health professionals.

Please note that we do not offer glucose tolerance tests (GTTs).

Online phlebotomy booking system

To book a blood test appointment at one of our community clinics, click here.

We are only able to provide blood tests for people who are registered with a GP in Barking and Dagenham, Havering or Redbridge. If you are not registered to a GP in one of these boroughs, please do not use the booking system as your appointment will be cancelled on the day if you arrive at the clinic.

Alternatively, you can contact our administrative team on the following telephone numbers, Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm:

  • 0300 300 1704
  • 0300 555 1045

Please note that our telephone lines can get very busy so you may have to wait in a queue. Please be patient and we will endeavour to answer your call as soon as possible.

Waiting times for blood tests

We have been working hard with our NHS partners across North East London to reduce our waiting times for blood test appointments. We have been asked to take on additional capacity due to pressures across the region in response to COVID-19. We are recruiting more colleagues, have set up additional clinics, and brought in urgent blood testing for patients who meet the relevant ‘referral criteria’ for these. Please discuss with your GP if you think your blood test may be urgent as they may be able to refer you urgently.

We have also had to make significant changes to our blood testing service as a result of COVID-19. These include introducing an appointment system rather than running ‘walk-in’ clinics, minimising the number of people in our clinical areas and waiting rooms, and making sure we have enough time between appointments for appropriate cleaning and other infection prevention and control measures.

As a result of the measures we have put in place, many of our blood test clinics now have a wait time within one week or less. We would highly recommend looking at availability across all clinics before booking your blood test.

Cancelling your appointment 

If you wish to cancel or rearrange your blood test appointment, you can do so by clicking on the link that was sent to you via text or email at the time of booking your appointment. This will then provide you with the details of your appointment and options to cancel or rearrange. Alternatively you can call our administrative team to support you with this. Please aim to do this at least 24 hours in advance in order to make that appointment available to someone else.

Further info

During your appointment

Please ensure that you bring a printed version of your blood form with you to your appointment. Failure to do so will mean that your appointment will have to be rearranged. Your form should be provided by your GP or the health professional that has referred you for a blood test.

Whilst in our waiting room please remove your coat and roll up your sleeve in preparation for your blood test. This will help to minimise delays during our busy service.

COVID-19 update

  • Do not attend your appointment if you have any COVID symptoms
  • Do not arrive any earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment slot
  • Ensure that you observe social distancing rules in line with government guidelines

Domiciliary phlebotomy referrals

Domiciliary phlebotomy referrals

The Domiciliary service is available to housebound patients Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm.

Referral method is from GP/ Hospital or other Allied Health Professionals. They are made by email via the details below:

If you have any queries regarding your domiciliary blood test please call our administrative team who will forward your query to our domiciliary team. Our domiciliary team will then investigate and aim to call you back on the same day. Please ensure your GP has referred you before contacting our team. We aim to process domiciliary referrals and book patients an appointment within 2 weeks.

New phlebotomy service launched for people with learning difficulties

The new dedicated Phlebotomy (blood taking) service for people with learning disabilities from 12 years old and above who are resident of Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge has now been launched.

The main reason for this dedicated service is to promote easier and supported access for blood testing for people with a learning disability.

Please note that Hainault Health Centre, IG7 4DF, will be operating every Wednesday from 4 May 2022, 12.30-3.45pm 

How to book

For more information on how to access this dedicated Phlebotomy service, visit the website here. 

Blood test locations

Barking and Dagenham

Clinic      

Address

Opening hours

Chadwell Heath Health Centre

Ashton Gardens Dagenham
Essex
RM6 6RT

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm

Porters Avenue Health Centre

234 Porters Avenue
Dagenham
RM8 2EQ

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm

Thames View Health Centre

Bastable Avenue
Barking
IG11 0LG

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm          

Barking Community Hospital

Upney Lane
Barking
IG11 9LX

Monday to Sunday
8am – 4pm

Havering

Clinic

Address         

Opening hours                                           

Cranham Clinic

Avon Road
Upminster
RM14 1RG

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm

 

Elm Park Clinic

 

252 Abbs Cross Lane  
Hornchurch
RM12 4YG   

Monday to Sunday
8am – 4pm

(the Saturday and Sunday chairs will run until the end of the pilot, 30 June 2022)

Raphael House
(Victoria Centre)

Victoria Centre
Pettits Lane
Romford
RM1 4HP

Monday to Sunday
8am – 4pm

Redbridge

 
Clinic

Address         

Opening hours                                           

Hainault Health Centre

Manford Way
Ilford
Chigwell
IG7 4DF

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm      

Seven Kings Health Centre

1 Salisbury Road 
Seven Kings
Ilford
IG3 8BG

Tuesday to Friday
8am – 4pm   

Loxford Polyclinic

417 Ilford Lane
Ilford
IG1 2SN

Monday to Sunday
8am – 4pm

Barley Court Clinic

Goodmayes Hospital
157 Barley Lane  
Ilford

Monday to Friday
8am – 4pm

For a full list of locations, including those not run by NELFT, please visit the website here.