Nervous of needles? How to make your blood test easier

Tell us when you arrive

Let us know you’re nervous. We’ll take our time, explain what’s happening and go at your pace, and we can take your sample while you lie down if you’ve ever felt faint.

Drink water and eat normally

Being hydrated makes your veins easier to find, and having eaten makes you less likely to feel faint. None of our standard tests need fasting.

Keep warm

Cold hands and arms make veins harder to find. Wear a layer you can roll up easily, and keep your arm warm before your appointment.

Breathe and look away

Slow breathing helps, and so does looking away or chatting. The needle part usually takes under a minute.

If you tend to faint

Tell us straight away if you feel faint. Tensing the muscles in your legs and tummy for a few seconds at a time, before and during the test, can help keep your blood pressure up.

Afterwards

Press firmly on the area for a few minutes to reduce bruising, and avoid heavy lifting with that arm for the rest of the day.