Alfie the teddy bear has a blood test
Alfie goes to Kingston Hospital.
Alfie goes Children's Outpatients. He checks in to let everyone know he is here.
He sits in the waiting area until we call his name.
We put some special cream on his hands. Sometimes we put the cream on his arms too.
We put stickers on top of the cream.
If Alfie does not have the special cream, we use some special cold spray instead.
Alfie plays while he waits for the special cream to work.
He meets a special nurse called a phlebotomist.
On some days there is a Play Specialist at the hospital. They can talk to Alfie and play a game with him while he has the blood test.
Alfie goes to the blood test room. This is also called the phlebotomy room.
Alfie sits on his mum or dad's knee and gives them a cuddle.
The phlebotomist takes the stickers off Alfie's hands and wipes away the cream.
The phlebotomist puts a tight bracelet around Alfie's arm.
If Alfie does not have the special cream, the phlebotomist uses the cold spray on the area where they will do the blood test.
The phlebotomist uses a plastic tube to do the blood test. This plastic tube is called a butterfly because it has wings.
Alfie must keep still while he is having the blood test.
When the blood test is finished, the nurse holds cotton wool on the back of Alfie's hand.
The nurse puts a plaster put on his hand.
All done. Alfie has had his blood test.
Well done, Alfie!
Alfie can go home now.
More information
Kingston Hospital information on blood tests for children under 7
Contact information
Children's Outpatients department
Paediatrics Admin Team