DS needs a blood test

[duzzlightyearsmum]

DS, 6, needs to have a blood test next week. He has had one in the past but he was about 3 so doesn't remember it. Also it was done at the hospital as part of a paediatric appointment. He is understandably apprehensive about it so I just wondered if anyone could answer a couple of questions for me so I can reassure him properly.

1. the blood test is being arranged by the GP so will it take place at the GP surgery? If not where?
2. will he have magic cream if its at the GP surgery?
3. where is the most likely place for them to take the blood on? Or is it completely dependent on the ease of finding a vein?

Thanks

Probably at children's outpatient clinic at local hosp so yes they will have emla cream

My dad aged 2 had it at the gp surgery. The Dr prescribed emla cream at a previous appointment to apply before the blood test. Hers was taken from the arm. It was more traumatic for my husband as he has to hold her totally still.

Hmm okay so it seems to vary then. At least it seems we will get the emla cream at least

My DD had it taken at the local hospital in the ordinary walk in blood test clinic. We went in the middle of the day when it’s was relatively empty and she just had it done, no magic cream . It was completely fine

Emla cream takes about an hour to work and works for some time. Put it in the most likely spots to get blood - inside elbows and poss backs of hands. Make sure he’s nice and warm as that makes it easier to get a vein.

(Son had a blood cancer, has had more blood tests than any child should).

My 5 yr old had one a few weeks ago she sat on my lap and I held her still it was absolutely fine, all over in 10 seconds. Don't remember any magic cream, sorry. It was taken at our local hospital (they dont do children's blood tests at our gp clinic). The blood was taken from her arm.

So it’s best to get the cream in advance - maybe call the surgery and get a prescription

We always prescribe emla cream, we do do blood tests for under 12’s in surgery but it depends on the child and how well parents & GP think they would handle it - which means young children are often done in the children’s ward instead.

probably the hospital has paediatric phlebotomists.
if it's like at my local hospital you have to call to make an appointment for one of the weekly half day slots...

agree with pp about emla cream. you can get it at the chemist for a fiver. slap it on an cover with cling film before going to the appointment. comes in handy for splinter removals as well

and let dc drink a lot before. helps bringing the veins out.

You need to clarify with your surgery really as local policies vary hugely

Thank you so much everybody for your words of advice. Really helps to be able to prepare him. He hates total surprises good or bad ie we can't go on a surprise day out because he would have a meltdown on arrival if he doesn't know where he's going or people can't just turn up with no warning because he won't want to see them if he hasn't had time to prepare for their arrival mentally. So an unexpected blood test which is completely alien to him would be a serious issue without some guidance so thank you

Yes I have a phone appointment with the GP tomorrow to clarify the details so hopefully the combination of everything will help to prepare him