Blood tests

Many children who come to kidney clinics will need a blood test and for many children the test needs to be repeated each time they come to clinic.

Blood tests in clinic are carried out by two experienced phlebotomists and supported by a play specialist.

It is possible for your child to have numbing cream or cold spray.  The numbing cream takes around 40 minutes to work so if you know your child will need a blood test, you may want to ask the nurse if the cream can be applied soon after you arrive.  Cold spray is used at the time of the blood test.

For the CKD clinics, where nearly all children need a blood test, the tests required are known in advice.  You will be given a ticket on arrival which marks your place in the blood test queue.  You may be called for your child's blood test before their appointment with the doctor. 

There is a video on the What Why Children in Hospital website of a boy who is anxious about having a blood test.