Private Blood Tests for Children in Dorset
Dorset Private GP provides child friendly private blood testing at ages five and over at our Ashley Cross clinic, with access to a wide range of laboratory tests and private GP support when required.
Fast Results
Wide range of tests
From 5 years old
Bournemouth, Ashley Cross & Poundbury
Private Blood Tests for Children
At Dorset Private GP, we provide private blood tests for children aged five and over at our Ashley Cross clinic.
If you already know which test your child requires, let our team know the name of the test and we will confirm availability and the full cost before booking.
If you are unsure which tests may be appropriate, you can arrange a private GP consultation to discuss your child’s symptoms, medical history and the reason for testing..
Common Tests Available
We can arrange access to hundreds of individual blood tests and laboratory profiles. The most appropriate tests will depend on your child’s age, symptoms, medical history and the reason the test has been requested.
Commonly requested children’s blood tests include:
Full Blood Count
A full blood count measures different types of blood cells and may be requested when investigating symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, pale skin, frequent infections or unexplained bruising.
Iron, Ferritin, Vitamins and Minerals
These tests can help investigate possible iron deficiency, anaemia or nutritional deficiencies. Commonly requested markers include iron, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate.
Liver and Kidney Function
Liver and kidney function blood tests measure markers associated with how these organs are working. They may be requested as part of an investigation or to monitor an existing condition or medication.
Thyroid and Hormone Testing
Thyroid and hormone tests may be requested when investigating symptoms such as tiredness, changes in weight, growth concerns, changes in energy or concerns relating to puberty.
Blood Glucose and Diabetes Testing
Blood glucose and HbA1c tests may be requested to assess blood sugar levels or support the investigation and monitoring of diabetes.
Allergy and Coeliac Disease Testing
Blood tests may be used as part of an investigation into suspected allergies or coeliac disease. The correct test will depend on your child’s symptoms and the suspected trigger.
Infection, Inflammation and Immunity Testing
Tests such as CRP and ESR may be requested to measure inflammation. Blood tests can also be used to investigate certain infections or check immunity to particular illnesses.
Cholesterol and Lipid Testing
Cholesterol and lipid tests may be recommended for some children because of their medical history, family history or another clinical concern.
Genetic and Specialist Blood Tests
Some genetic and specialist blood tests require a written request from a consultant or specialist confirming the exact test required.
The results of genetic tests will be sent to the requesting specialist for interpretation.
Already know which test your child needs? Contact our team for availability and a clear price before booking.
Child Friendly Blood Testing at Ashley Cross
Children aged five and over can have their blood test at our Ashley Cross clinic.
Appointments for children aged five to eleven are longer than standard blood test appointments. Numbing cream is applied by our nurse approximately 30 minutes before the blood sample is taken.
Paediatric blood samples are taken by one of our doctors with assistance from a nurse.
Please tell us before booking if your child is particularly anxious about needles, has additional needs or has previously found blood tests difficult. This allows our team to discuss the appointment with you and determine whether our clinic is the right setting for your child.
Blood Tests for Children Under Five
We do not currently take blood samples from children under five at our clinics.
However, we can put you in touch with a mobile paediatric blood testing service that may be able to visit your home or another suitable location.
Contact our team for further information.
How Children’s Blood Testing Works
1. Tell Us Which Test Is Required
Contact us with the name of the test, laboratory profile or blood markers your child requires.
You can also provide a blood test request from your child’s GP, consultant or another healthcare professional.
2. We Confirm Availability and Pricing
The cost will depend on your child’s age and the laboratory tests required.
We will confirm the blood-taking fee, laboratory charges and any preparation instructions available to us before the appointment is booked.
3. Attend the Ashley Cross Clinic
Children aged five and over attend our Ashley Cross clinic for their blood test.
Children aged five to eleven will need a longer appointment so that numbing cream can be applied approximately 30 minutes before the sample is taken.
4. The Sample Is Sent to the Laboratory
Samples using our laboratory service are couriered to our private laboratory in London each evening.
Many results are available the following day, although some specialist tests require a longer analysis time.
5. Receive the Results
Results are normally emailed directly to the parent or guardian.
If the test was booked without a GP consultation, the results will not automatically be reviewed or interpreted by a Dorset Private GP doctor.
A separate GP appointment can be booked if you would like help understanding the results or discussing the next steps.
Option One - Blood Testing Using Our Laboratory
This option is suitable when you already know which blood tests your child requires and would like Dorset Private GP to collect the sample and arrange the laboratory analysis.
Your child does not need to have previously seen one of our doctors.
Children Aged 5 to 11:
£95 paediatric phlebotomy fee, plus the laboratory cost of the selected tests
The longer appointment includes the application of numbing cream by a nurse approximately 30 minutes before the sample is taken.
The blood sample is taken by one of our doctors with assistance from a nurse.
Children Aged 12 to 17:
£45 phlebotomy fee, plus the laboratory cost of the selected tests
Tests Requiring Centrifuging
Some blood tests require the sample to be centrifuged before it is sent to the laboratory.
A £60 phlebotomy fee applies to tests requiring centrifuging, plus the relevant laboratory charges. Please contact us to confirm how this fee applies to your child’s test and age group.
Important Information – please click here before you proceed with a booking
This option does not include a doctor’s consultation or clinical recommendation.
If the test has been requested by another healthcare professional, you should follow their instructions about:
Whether your child needs to fast
What time the sample should be taken
Whether any medication needs to be changed or paused
Whether the test must be completed on a particular day
Dorset Private GP cannot provide this clinical guidance as part of a blood-taking-only appointment.
If you need advice about which tests are suitable or how your child should prepare, please arrange a private GP consultation before booking the blood test.
Each test is priced individually according to the laboratory’s analysis fee. We will confirm the full price before the appointment.
Results will be emailed directly to you and will show the result for each marker together with the laboratory’s relevant reference range.
A doctor will not automatically review or comment on the results.
Private GP consultations of 20, 30 or 40 minutes are available if you would like help understanding the results.
Option 2 – Blood Draw Using Your Own Testing Kit
We can also provide a blood-taking-only service if your child has received a testing kit from another healthcare provider or laboratory.
You will need to bring the complete testing kit and all accompanying paperwork to the appointment.
Once the sample has been collected, you will take the completed kit with you and will be responsible for packaging and sending it to the relevant provider.
Children Aged 5 to 11:
£95 paediatric phlebotomy fee
The appointment includes additional time for numbing cream to be applied approximately 30 minutes before the blood sample is taken.
Children Aged 12 to 17:
£45 phlebotomy fee
Tests Requiring Centrifuging
A £60 phlebotomy fee applies where centrifuging is required. Please contact us before booking so that we can confirm whether we can meet the kit provider’s requirements.
Important Information About External Testing Kits
Open and check the testing kit before contacting us to book.
Many kits contain specific instructions relating to:
The time or day the sample must be collected
Whether your child needs to fast
The type and number of sample tubes required
Whether the sample must be centrifuged
Whether a frozen block or special packaging is required
How quickly the sample must be returned
You are responsible for confirming these requirements with the testing provider before the appointment.
You will also be responsible for sending the completed kit and obtaining the results from the external provider.
If you would like advice about the results, a 20-minute private GP consultation is available for £97.
Choosing the Right Blood Test for Your Child
The most appropriate blood tests will depend on why your child is being tested.
You may already have a clear request from your child’s NHS GP, paediatrician, consultant, dietitian or another healthcare professional.
If you do not know which tests are required, a Dorset Private GP doctor can discuss your concerns and recommend appropriate next steps.
A consultation may be particularly helpful when your child has unexplained symptoms, several possible tests are being considered or you would like a doctor to interpret the results afterwards.
Preparing Your Child for a Blood Test
Preparation will depend on the test your child is having.
Please follow any instructions given by the clinician or organisation that requested the test. Do not change your child’s medication or ask them to fast unless you have been specifically advised to do so by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Unless your child has been told to avoid fluids, keeping them well hydrated before the appointment may make it easier to collect the sample.
For children aged five to eleven, please arrive at the time provided by our team so that the numbing cream can be applied approximately 30 minutes before the blood sample is taken.
It can also help to explain the appointment using simple and reassuring language. Avoid promising that the test will not hurt, but let your child know that the team will help them feel as comfortable as possible.
Please bring:
Any blood test request or specialist letter
Details of the exact tests required
Your child’s testing kit, where applicable
Any instructions supplied by the laboratory
Relevant medical or medication information requested by the clinic
Understanding Your Child’s Results
When you use our laboratory without a GP consultation, we will email the laboratory report directly to you.
The report will usually show:
The result recorded for each test
The laboratory reference range
Whether the result falls within or outside that range
Reference ranges can differ according to factors such as age and sex. Results should also be considered alongside your child’s symptoms, medical history and reason for testing.
A result outside the laboratory range does not always confirm that something is wrong, while a result inside the range does not always rule out a medical concern.
A private GP consultation can be arranged if you would like a doctor to review the results and explain whether any further assessment may be appropriate.
Our reviews speak for themselves
FAQs
What age children can you provide blood tests for?
We provide private blood tests for children aged five and over at our Ashley Cross clinic.
For children under five, we can put you in touch with a mobile paediatric blood testing service.
Where are children’s blood tests carried out?
Blood tests for children aged five and over are carried out at our Ashley Cross clinic.
Children’s blood tests are not currently available at our other clinic locations.
How much does a private blood test for a child cost?
For children aged five to eleven, the paediatric phlebotomy fee is £95.
For children aged twelve and over, the phlebotomy fee is £45.
Laboratory charges are added according to the individual tests requested. We will confirm the total cost before booking.
Some tests requiring centrifuging may have a different blood-taking fee.
Why is the fee higher for children aged five to eleven?
Appointments for children aged five to eleven require more time and clinical support.
A nurse applies numbing cream approximately 30 minutes before the blood test, and the sample is taken by one of our doctors with assistance from a nurse.
Can I request a blood test for my child without a GP referral?
Many blood tests can be booked without a GP referral if you already know the exact tests required.
However, some specialist and genetic tests require a written request from an appropriate clinician.
If you are unsure which tests your child needs, you can arrange a private GP consultation first.
Does my child need to be registered with Dorset Private GP?
No. You can arrange a one-off blood test without registering your child as an ongoing patient.
We will ask for the necessary contact, consent and medical information before the appointment.