Blood tests (phlebotomy) for children

The process for booking blood tests for children and young people differs from that, for adults. 

Please note: This information is only for children currently under the care of a Community Paediatrician.

two vials of blood laying on a table

Step one

Firstly, you will need to collect a prescription of a skin numbing cream called EMLA.

You (parents and carers) will need to call your child's GP and ask for a prescription of EMLA cream.

Please request one tube of EMLA and two large waterproof dressings to go on top to keep the cream in place, for your child’s blood tests.

The blood tests will not be done unless you have this cream.

You will then need to collect it from your local pharmacy, after it has been prescribed. Store EMLA in a cool, dry place. It should be stored below 30 degrees, and out of the sight and reach of children.

Step two

Once you have collected the EMLA from your local pharmacy, you will need to make an appointment to have your child's blood taken at Barnsley Hospital - Paediatric Outpatients.

To arrange an appointment, please call 01226 644876

Unfortunately, we are unable to see you without an appointment.

You can call us, Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 3.00pm, in order to book in.

During busy times we may not be able to answer your call the first time that you ring. If this is the case, please try again later.

Step three

On the day of your child's blood test, apply the cream as per the instructions in the box - an hour before your time slot for the blood test.

Usually, you will:

  1. Apply half the cream to the inside of one elbow.
  2. Apply half the cream to the inside of the other elbow.
  3. Cover with a dressing.

You should apply a smaller amount of cream to young babies.

Ensure your child’s skin is clean and dry so that the cream absorbs correctly and that the dressing will stick well.

Avoid areas of skin with cuts, grazes, rashes or eczema. If no dressing is supplied you can used plastic film such as clingfilm - ensure if used, that it sticks to itself.

Genetic testing

If your child is having genetic blood tests, you will need to book the tests for a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Genetic blood tests cannot be carried out on Fridays. This is because the blood must be sent to Sheffield for processing.

Please do not arrange an appointment until you have the relevant request form from your child's paediatrician.

All other blood tests can be carried out, any day of the week.

Blood requests forms

If you have been given a genetics form (titled Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service) during your appointment - or one has been sent to you in the post - you will need to take this with you to the appointment.

Failure to bring this form in, will mean that this sample will not be taken.

The genetics sample is sent separately to Sheffield but you will need to bring your child to Barnsley Hospital, for the test to be carried out.

All the other test requests (for example iron levels or vitamin levels) are made via a computer system (called ICE).

You do not need to bring any other forms or paperwork to the blood test slot except for genetics tests.

Cartoon image of 3 blood vials

Urine sample requests

Urine samples are part of the Early Developmental Impairment panel of tests - this may have been mentioned to you by your child's nurse or doctor.

You will need to collect a white topped ‘universal urine container’ from your GP surgery.

On the morning of the blood test slot you will then need to collect some urine in this to bring with you.

If your child is in nappies, you can place some cotton wool in the front of the nappy and squeeze the urine into the container when they have had a wee.

If they are toilet trained, you can ask them to wee into a clear container such as a jug and transfer the wee into the pot.

Please make sure you have labelled the urine sample and make sure the lid is securely on.

You will then either need to take the urine sample with you to the bloods appointment and give to the nurse, or drop if off at your GP surgery.

two sample bottle, one is lying flat whilst the other is stood upright.

Where to go in the hospital for your child's blood test

The Children’s Outpatient Department is located in the Orange Zone, Barnsley Hospital.

The department is located quite close to the main hospital restaurant (called Colliers). 

Read more information on how to get to and around Barnsley Hospital, and view a map of the hospital site.

Results

We will contact you with your child's results either by phone or in writing, once they are available.

Please be aware that some results take several weeks to be processed, and genetics are currently taking around 4 to 5 months.

You may not hear back from us for a short while. This is normal and you don't have to contact us to chase the results. 

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  • Page last reviewed: 20 February 2024
  • Next review due: 21 November 2024