Changes to way Urgent GP blood service can be accessed from 9 March 2026

From the 9 March we will no longer be operating a walk-in service for GP bloods that are marked as urgent at the following sites:
  • Corby Nuffield Outpatients
  • Nene Park, Irthlingborough
  • Isebrook Outpatients, Wellingborough
Urgent request for blood from GP will still be seen but will need to be booked via the phone or online.
Following a trial of this service and review, we have taken the decision not to carry on with the walk-in appointments. 

By returning to a booked appointment system we anticipate seeing better patient flow, remove unnecessary travel making more effective use of the patient’s time and staff time. Making the whole blood taking experience more relaxed and less stressful for all involved.

Pre-Chemotherapy, Anticoagulation tests or patients needing a blood test 48 hours before admission for a planned operation will still be seen as walk ins without an appointment.

Kettering General Hospital Pathology Department will continue to be available for urgent walk-in appointments between 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)

Urgent Blood Test

Urgent adult's blood test

If you need an urgent adult blood test for pre-Chemotherapy, Anticoagulation tests or are a patient needing a blood test 48 hours before admission for a planned operation, you can use the walk-in service at any of our following sites:
This service is not available at North Northants Council, Bowling Green Road, Kettering who do not accept walk-in patients.

Urgent children's blood test

If you need an urgent children's blood test for pre-Chemotherapy, Anticoagulation tests or are a patient needing a blood test 48 hours before admission for a planned operation, you can use the walk-in service at Kettering General Hospital Pathology Department. This walk-in service is available 8.00 am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).    

Urgent GP blood test

For a trial period, if you have been referred for an urgent blood test by your GP and they have marked the request form as urgent in the last 2 working days, you can attend one of the clinics listed below as a walk-in blood test.  

Thirty walk-in appointment slots will be available each weekday afternoon at each of the below sites, urgent GP blood tests.  This will be given on a first come first served basis.  Patients may have to wait to be seen at busy times. Patients with a pre-booked appointment time may be seen before a walk-in patient. 

If all afternoon walk-in slots are filled at the above locations, you have the option to visit the Pathology Department at Kettering General Hospital; please be aware that the last bleed being completed by 4.00pm; Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.  In exceptional circumstances you may not be seen the same day and be placed on the list of walk-ins for the next working day.  Please be aware that using the walk-in service patients may have to wait longer than patients with pre-booked appointments.  At peak times there may be a lengthy wait. 

Nene Park, Irthlingborough between 1.00pm and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. 
Outpatients Nuffield Diagnostic Centre, Corby between 1.00pm and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.