Supported Blood Collection
A little more time, care and support when having a blood test.
Our Supported Blood Collection service is designed for patients who may benefit from additional time and individual support when having blood collected.
This may be suitable for you if you:
- experience severe anxiety around blood tests;
- have a needle phobia;
- find attending traditional pathology collection centres difficult or overwhelming;
- have previously had difficult or distressing blood collection experiences; or
- have tricky, fragile or compromised veins and may require additional time for collection.
Extended 30-Minute Appointment — $110
Your 30-minute appointment allows additional time so the collection does not need to feel rushed. Our focus is on providing a calm, supportive environment and working with you to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Please let us know when booking if there is anything in particular that helps you during blood collection or if you have experienced difficulties with venous access in the past.
Children
This service is not suitable for children under 7 years of age. For younger children requiring blood collection, we recommend contacting The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) or Cabrini Hospital or an appropriate paediatric pathology collection service, where staff and facilities are specifically equipped to support young children.
For children over the age of 7
Before the appointment, talk to your child about why they need a blood test. It is best to be honest about what to expect. Rather than saying it won’t hurt, explain that they may feel a brief pinch or sting, similar to a mosquito bite, and that it will be over very quickly.
If this is your child’s first blood test, The Royal Children’s Hospital has an excellent child-friendly video that explains what happens during a blood test and can help prepare them for the experience.
Children are welcome to bring a favourite distraction, such as a toy, book, or tablet with a favourite TV show or movie. We also encourage children to drink plenty of fluids before their appointment (if they are required to fast this should be water only) and to wear warm clothing. Being well hydrated and warm can make blood collection easier.
During the blood collection, children are welcome to sit on a parent’s or carer’s lap and have a cuddle for comfort. Parents or carers may be asked to gently help keep their child’s arm still to ensure the procedure can be performed safely.
IMPORTANT
We do not perform blood collections that require restraint or proceed against an individual’s wishes. If you, your child or loved one are extremely distressed, unable to tolerate the procedure, or the blood collection is expected to be particularly complex, we may recommend attending a specialist pathology service or, for children, a paediatric hospital service. These services have staff and facilities specifically equipped to support patients requiring more complex blood collection or additional assistance. If you are unsure, you are welcome to reach out to discuss suitability with our experienced nurses.