Having a blood test is now less traumatic for young patients at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital thanks to a first of its kind service dedicated to taking blood tests for children and babies.

The walk in service means under 16s needing to have a blood sample taken no longer have to visit the Hospital’s outpatients department and have improved access to a paediatric-trained phlebotomist to take their blood samples in a child friendly environment. Locals will also be able to take their babies to the unit for blood tests where previously they would have needed to go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The unit, which has seen more than 7,000 babies and children through its doors since it first commenced service nearly 12 months ago, has proved a big hit with Hospital clinicians and GPs alike.

Heartlands phlebotomy manager, Val Wall said: “Our younger patients needing blood tests used to be referred by a GP to the paediatrics unit or went to the outpatients department. Having this unit with specially trained phlebotomists is unique as far as I am aware. It works well and the staff are all really proud of it. Having this service in place means it is a much less distressing experience for the children as the waiting time is reduced and they are in a calming environment. Because we have this dedicated service we are saving staff time and set up to serve a growing population with a more easily accessible.”