Labtests and babies

Can anyone recommend a Labtest collection centre in Auckland (prefersbly the North Shore) that has staff who are experienced in taking blood from babies/toddlers?

I used to go to Diagnositic in Glenfield, as they had several staff who were excellent. Have heard a few horror stories about the new service & clinicians being inexperienced with babies.

I went to the one at Hillsborough a few weeks ago and it was the same staff that used to be there when it was Diagnostic, I guess they got rehired.

St Marks Rd in Remuera are good with kids, that's who the girls paed recommends.

The good thing about St Marks Rd if you have to travel is that it is like 5 mins from the Gillies off/onramp.

You could always call around the ones on the shore and ask them what level of experience they have with babies. I know some places won't do them at all.

ask for the numbing cream. taine has had several blood tests - the ones with numbing cream were a breeze compared to the one without. they put it on, leave for an hour and then the area is numb enough. it still stings but you can distract them easy enough

Melnel, I'll check them out as they're just around the corner from us.

Aliasmum, I've heard similiar stories to that, which is why I thought I'd start a thread on child friendly blood labs. It's stressful enough taking little ones for blood tests, without having to cope with that!

Wow, that's awesome Kabe, hopefully it won't be too traumatic for Eva (and her mummy!)

Maya, we're getting use to them now as she needs RASTS done every few months for her allergies. Every few days she points to where they stick in the needle and say's 'sore', so it's obviously a vivid memory

Would be quite good to build a list of recommended Labtest collections points around the country.