A Medway Community Healthcare blood test is a timed appointment. You book it online or by phone, and you bring a blood form or F number from your GP or nurse. The booking page for the Medway and Swale service now sits with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, but a lot of the clinics are still at MCH House in Gillingham.
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That mix-up is why so many people search the old name, and it’s an easy one to make. If you’re expecting a baby, you’ll probably get a form for routine prenatal blood tests at some point. Checking things like iron levels or blood sugar is a normal part of pregnancy care, and it helps to know how the process works before you go.
How to book your blood test appointment
You can’t just walk in. Clinics are appointment only, and the service only takes patients registered with a Medway or Swale GP. If your GP is elsewhere, you’ll be asked to book in your own area.
The easiest route is the online booking page, where you can book up to six weeks ahead. Prefer to talk to a person? Call 0300 123 3444, press option 1, then option 1 again. The call handlers see the same slots you do, though, so ringing won’t get you an earlier time. They also don’t hold back urgent slots. If you need to be seen sooner, go back to whoever sent you for the test and ask about other options.
You can also book for a friend or relative by adding them to your account. That’s handy if you’re helping a parent or an older family member.
Where the clinics are
There are several sites around Medway. MCH House on Bailey Drive in Gillingham has free parking and a Saturday morning session. Others include the Rainham Healthy Living Centre, the James Williams Healthy Living Centre in the Pentagon Centre in Chatham, the Walter Brice Centre in Hoo, and the Lordswood Healthy Living Centre. Days and hours differ from place to place, so check the booking page for the one you want. Don’t go by memory.
Getting ready for a fasting blood test
Not every test needs fasting, and your form or GP should tell you. When it does, the rules are fairly simple. For a glucose test, nothing to eat for 10 hours. For fasting lipids, 12 hours. Plain tap water is fine, and it actually helps, because being well hydrated makes your veins easier to find.
Take your usual medication with water before the test. The one exception is digoxin, which shouldn’t be taken less than six hours before. If your tablets normally go with food, they’ll have to wait until afterwards.
If you tend to feel faint
Plenty of people do, and the phlebotomists have seen it all. Don’t skip meals the day before, drink lots of water, and go easy on caffeine. Look away from the needle, and chat to whoever is taking your blood if that helps. If you’ve fainted before, say so as soon as you walk in. They can do the test with you lying down, which makes a big difference.
Blood tests for children
Kids need an online booking so they get a proper time slot and don’t sit in a waiting room getting more nervous. Children’s appointments also run a bit longer, which gives the team time to reassure them. If your child needs numbing cream, put it on 30 to 45 minutes beforehand.
A few mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting your blood form or F number
- Fasting when the test doesn’t need it, or not fasting when it does
- Turning up in a thick jumper with sleeves that won’t roll up
- Assuming you can book by phone for an earlier slot
FAQs
Can I walk in for a blood test at MCH House?
No. Clinics run on booked appointments only.
Can I drink water before a fasting blood test?
Yes. Plain tap water is allowed and helps your veins.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. Your GP, nurse or another healthcare professional gives you the form or F number.
Are blood tests safe during pregnancy?
Yes. They’re a routine part of prenatal care and help catch things like low iron early. If anything about your form worries you, ask your midwife or GP.
Emma Gill