24 September 2009

Best place for blood test with needle phobia

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I need to go have a blood test and I have a massive needle phobia – can anyone recommend a good clinic to go where the nurses understand these issues and have patience?

Thanks

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I suffer from same problem to the point I have had to be sedated with valium once. I went to Eloise at Symbion in Belconnen last year and she was a sweetheart. She was recommended to me by my GP. She was funny, sensitive, gentle and caring. She held my hand, spoke to me softly and I hardly felt a thing. She explained procedure from beginning to end and was one of the most professional nurses Ive come across with a cheeky sense of humour to calm me. At the end of the test, I went to de4sk to pay only to discover I was bulk billed by her. I no longer need sedation when I can get in with her and I give her 20 out of 10. She is also good with young children if that helps. Best of luck, I know how you feel!

gun street girl5:36 pm 26 Sep 09

Best stick to the mob that your doctor uses, for the sake of your results not being lost or delayed. Capital and ACT Path have multiple collection centres alike, so you’re free to pick the one most convenient, but try not to go to Capital, for instance, if your request form comes from ACT Path (or vice-versa).

rosebud said :

I-filed – I DO have a phobia, but it involved underpants.

I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere about a shared phobia of little pricks…

I have to have bi-monthly bloodtests to check medication levels..I’ve always hated them, but since I’ve started going to the collection place inside Calvary Hospital, I haven’t had any probs..it’s all they do so it’s very quick and relatively painless..and you can reward yourself with a chocky (or whatever!) at the cafe next door afterwards!.. can’t remember if it’s ACT Pathology or Capital Pathology? It’s not the one across the road from A&E but the one downstairs from the maternity ward..good luck 🙂

Hi At Lyneham shops they are excellent, as I’m not scared, just concerned that they find my veins as they are hard to find, narrow veins, most pathologist’s have trouble finding them and I end up with a lot of bruising.

katahandmade7:44 pm 25 Sep 09

I have found Capital Pathology at John James hospital in Deakin to be great. No wait for my appointments and very understanding nurses (I too have a bit of a phobia!)

Also it might help to take a family member/friend with you who can help distract you while its being done?

I-filed – I DO have a phobia, but it involved underpants.

rosebud said :

I think you should all grow up! Scared of a little needle, plunging into your veins to relieve you of some of your vital essence. What could you possibly be afraid of except your own fear. Pffft.

Rosebud you don’t have a phobia, so you aren’t placed to judge.

Buttons, I’m not scared of needles but I recall that the male nurse who took blood at Capital Pathology when it was at the Ainslie shops was fantastic, took his time and chatted. If you phone Capital, you could simply ask them who they would recommend among their staff around their clinics – they’ll be aware of who is particularly empathetic, as they probably will have had feedback over the years, and I’m sure they’ll help.

I have blood tests every week and you something, it’s just a little jab. No worse than a prick from a rose bush. There’s worse things – like a scalpel.

barking toad12:01 pm 25 Sep 09

#9

haha – nice one centurion!

I think you should all grow up! Scared of a little needle, plunging into your veins to relieve you of some of your vital essence. What could you possibly be afraid of except your own fear. Pffft.

I found Canberra Hospital Pathology to be consistently good at taking blood for blood tests.

I used to be so scared, I would be having the shakes and cold sweats about blood tests, and I found that the commercial places (Symbion, Laverty Pathology) were HOPELESS at getting blood out without causing lots of pain.

The nurses at Canberra Hospital Pathology are well trained, and do a great job. Highly recommended.

Ex

Thank you everyone!

I would highly recommend the Collection Centre at Canberra Hospital, entry ground level off Gilmore Crescent Garran

EMLA cream may help too. Its local anaethetic cream you can buy from the chemist- put it on about 30mins before you go- you wont feel it then! Great for small kids who need blood tests too (doesnt help much with immunisations sadly as most of that pain is in the muscle, not the skin) A bit exxy but worth it if you have a real problem.

V twin venom8:34 am 25 Sep 09

Mooseheads. They don’t even use needles.

Staff at the collection center at Calvary are fantastic. Been going there for awhile and never had a problem.

http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10150684&pid=1182750869

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 12.00 noon

Our location
1st Floor, Marian Building
Calvary Hospital, BRUCE

Had one this week at the Erindale branch of the local pathology place. Pleasant enough people, given what they do. Very skilled at minimal shock/pain phlebotomy. It’s most of what they do at those places, so they get pretty good at it.

The lady that works at the Jerrabomberra Capital Pathology is very good at taking bloods. My daughter was very worked up and the lady was able to take the blood with a minimum of fuss and calmed my daughter beautifully.

Speaking as a bit of needlephobe myself, let me recommend Capital Pathology at Brindabella Specialist Centre (Garran, near The Canberra Hospital) on a Sunday morning.

To quote the young lady who took my blood, some Sundays are really busy, but most times they’re dead quiet – I stepped in the door about 10:30am, did the paperwork and was ushered into the room straight away, no time wasted in a waiting room getting worked up about it.

Very understanding staff and I walked away feeling much better about myself (and about needles).

I feel your pain.

Best experience with this dread was Capital Pathology at “Brindabella Specialist Centre”, top of the carpark at Woden Hospital. The nurse was fabulous – I felt virtually nothing, and was looking everywhere but the task at hand.

Hint! Book an appointment. This place seems to be almost a drop in centre for these tests, and it was a revelation to walk in at the designated time, with a chockers waiting room, to be escorted straight to the nurse for the bloodletting.

Good Luck.

Maybe your local doctor?
I hate them to with a passion but my local doctor does a good job thankgod 🙂

Anywhere you go will have patients, so that should help…

I have found that the place at the Lyneham shops is really good. ACT Pathology I think they are.

SolarPowered6:02 pm 24 Sep 09

I can relate to the phobia. I have had countless blood tests over the years. The best thing is to drink plenty of water beforehand. This makes it much easier for the nurse to get a good vein. That, and breathe.

Not sure where you are located, but there is a clinic in Gungahlin which is very good. Can’t remember the name, but it is around the corner from Fruitylicious.

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