Blood tests are carried out at Apollo hospitals by phlebotomists who are specially trained in the collection of blood.

A test usually involves placing a needle attached to a vacutainer into one of the blood vessels in the inside of your elbow or wrist. You will feel a sharp prick as the needle goes in but this isn’t particularly painful.

A sample of blood is then taken and the needle is removed. You will be given a gauze pad to put pressure on the site of the injection, which stops any bleeding and should prevent bruising. Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete.