This service is divided into five main areas, clinical chemistry, haematology (including transfusion), cellular pathology, microbiology (including virology) and central services (including blood tests/ phlebotomy).
Royal Berkshire Hospital - The phlebotomy outpatients clinic at the RBH is temporarily closed.
If you require a blood test, the following services are available:
Bracknell Healthspace for walk in general blood tests: Monday - Friday 8.00am-3.30pm (except bank holidays)
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust operates an appointment only clinic for blood tests in the Phlebotomy department at the West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham. For appointments please call: 01635 273343.
Alternatively, your local GP surgery may be able to carry out a blood test for you.
Please note: If your child is aged 14 and over and has special needs and requires an appointment for phlebotomy services rather than attending the walk-in service, please call the Kempton ward on 0118 322 7383 to discuss and make an appointment.
Blood Tests for children under the age of 14
Children under the age of 14 have a separate appointment based system. Children aged 12 years and over may elect to attend a general phlebotomy outpatient clinic rather than the dedicated children’s services, with consent from their parent or guardian. If your child has been asked to attend for a blood test you have a choice of 3 locations:
Children’s Clinic | |
Suitable for | All children requiring a blood test under 14 years of age |
Where | Children’s Clinic, Level 1 South Block, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading |
When | Monday mornings ONLY 08:30 – 12:30. |
Bookings | 0118 322 8142 Appointments ONLY (no walk-in service) |
Blood forms | Your paediatrician (doctor) will be able to order the test electronically. If your GP has requested the test you will need to bring a blood form. |
Kempton Day Bed Unit | |
Suitable for | All children requiring a blood test under 14 years of age |
Where | Level 3 Centre Block (opposite Lion & Dolphin Wards), Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. |
Bookings | 0118 322 7383 Appointments ONLY (no walk-in service). Please book a date and time for your child’s appointment at least 2 weeks before the test is needed. |
Blood forms | Your paediatrician will be able to order the test electronically but it is helpful if you also have a paper copy from your doctor all GP request require a paper blood form |
West Berkshire Community Hospital
Suitable for | School age children or younger children from 2 years who are confident with blood tests. |
When | Appointments available Monday to Friday 8am-3pm. |
Where | West Berkshire Community Hospital Phlebotomy Department. |
Bookings | Tel: 01635 273343 and select option 3 to talk to a receptionist. Please mention child’s age at time of booking. Appointments ONLY (no walk-in service). |
Blood forms | Please ask your paediatrician or GP to print a blood request form. |
Blood tests- for those over 14 years of age’
Important: Please see notice at the top of this page re services at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
If your child is aged 14 and over and has special needs that make an appointment for phlebotomy services preferable to the use of the walk in service, please telephone Kempton Ward to discuss and make an appointment.
The Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust Pathology Department offers a 'walk in' phlebotomy/blood test collection service at Bracknell Healthspace . This is a 'walk in' service, so you do not need to make an appointment.
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust operates an appointment only clinic for blood tests in the Phlebotomy department of West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham. For appointments please call: 01635 273343.
Royal Berkshire Hospital (Reading) Open for walk in general blood tests: Monday - Friday 7.30am-4.15pm (except bank holidays)
Royal Berkshire Bracknell Clinic Open for walk in general blood tests: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4.00pm (except bank holidays)
Phlebotomy Outpatients opening times Hospital Outpatients (including Warfarin patient blood tests) Monday to Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm. Last patient accepted at 4.45pm.
Anticoagulation Clinic: Please refer to the Anticoagulation leaflet.
More information about Pathology services
South Block, Level 2 adjacent to Pathology - on level 2 South Block and can be reached via the South Block Entrance on Addington Road or the main link corridor from the Royal Berkshire Hospital Main Entrance on Craven Road. Park in multi-storey car park in Craven Road. Join the Main Entrance block at level 2. Turn right past reception, passing the shops (signed All Wards and Departments). At the Welcome desk turn left down the Main Link corridor and follow blue coded signs to Pathology or Blood tests. This unit will be open at all times stated.
Concourse, Level 2 adjacent to Pharmacy can be reached from the Royal Berkshire Hospital Main Entrance on Craven Road. Park in multi-storey car park in Craven Road. Join the Main Entrance Block at level 2. Pass reception and turn left following signs. On occasions this unit may not be open.
To avoid having to park and find the laboratory to deliver specimens, a "drop-off" point has been designated with an adjacent free parking space.
The drop off point is accessible from Craven Road via the site entrance nearest to southern end of the hospital. Please just put the bagged specimens through the flap and let them drop.
Some specimens that need immediate analysis and must be delivered promptly to laboratory reception, if this is the case, the test instructions will clearly state this.
If there are no special arrangements regarding the tests performed, then it is safe to assume that you can deliver the specimen to the drop off point at any time.
Please ensure that all containers, wherever delivered to, are:
RBFT Site Lead: Ian Sav
The pathology services for this Trust are provided by Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services.
Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) is a NHS contractual joint venture between the following NHS Foundation Trusts:
Each Trust benefits from a complete pathology service, delivered through a shared service model across the network.
BSPS is administered by a unitary management and governance structure. The laboratory services meet the requirements of the following:
BSPS is dedicated to delivering excellence in the provision of pathology services within all aspects of healthcare, and delivers the highest standards of service to clinicians and patients.
Please bring your Pathology Service Request Form (or letter for warfarin patients). Please follow GP/Consultant advice.
The Pathology Laboratory provides a full blood collection service to both GP patients and Hospital Outpatients. A ' walk in' service is offered and the average waiting time is less than 20 minutes. However, patients are advised that clinic patients are given priority and waiting times during clinic times can be 45 minutes or more.
GPs are requested not to send patients to Pathology for collection of microbiology samples other than blood tests without making prior arrangements with a consultant microbiologist. Patients with communicable infections e.g. whooping cough, rubella etc. should not be sent to the laboratory for tests except by prior arrangement with a consultant microbiologist.
Refreshment points
ATM machine: Opposite the reception desk on level 2 in the Main Entrance Block
Pathology
South Block
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
London Road
Reading RG1 5AN
0118 322 7751