Blood Tests – A Guide for Children and Young People

Your doctor or nurse might want you to have a blood test. They want the blood test so they can find out a little bit about your health.

This leaflet tells you what will happen when you have the blood test, and will hopefully help you to feel more confident and ready for the test.

You can have your blood test done at the Children’s Outpatient Department at either the University Hospital of North Tees, or at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

How do we take your blood?

We usually take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. But sometimes we can take blood from your hands too. Veins carry blood around your body. They look like tiny little blue tubes filled with your blood. You might be able to see some of them under your skin.

When you come to get your blood test our friendly team of Nurses and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), who are trained to take blood, will explain what is happening and answer any of your questions.

The Nurses and HCAs will look at your arms and hands to find a vein. A tight band is sometimes put around your arm to help us get your blood to flow well.

You will need to keep your arm still while a small needle is put into the vein. The blood will then flow into small tubes. When the tube has filled with enough blood, it can be sent for testing.

Getting ready for your blood test

Make sure you drink plenty of water before your appointment. This helps the veins show up better.

If you feel frightened just let us know and we will try to help you feel more comfortable. We have lots of ways to help take your mind off what is happening.

If you want to bring in your mobile phone, your headphones or some toys you can bring those with you too.

How long will it take?

Taking blood does not take very long. It usually takes just a few minutes. But the whole appointment might take up to 30 minutes because we need to check your name, birthday and that we have the right information from your doctor so we can do the right tests.

Sometimes you might need to wait a little longer for your blood test but we will do our best to see you on time.

Please try to come 5 minutes before your appointment so that we can check you in on our computer.

What happens during the appointment?

1.       We ask you your name and birthday to make sure everything is right on the

computer. We might ask this more than once.

2.       We might use some cold spray to make it more comfortable for you.

3.       You may feel a slight scratch when the needle is put into your vein but this does not

last long.

4.       A small sample of blood will be taken usually from the arm or back of your hand.

5.       We sometimes have more than one sample to do but this only takes a few minutes

and will be done at the same time from the same needle.

6.       Once we are finished you will have a small plaster put on where we took the blood

and you can go home or back to school.

Need to change your appointment? 

If you cannot come to your appointment, please get in touch with us and we will change the time and day for you.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:

University Hospital of North Tees

Telephone: 01642 624527

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00pm (excluding Bank holidays)

Email: [email protected]

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Telephone: 01429 522800

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00pm (excluding Bank holidays)

Email: [email protected]

Patient Experience

Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617