Book your test today
Blood tests can be booked at the medical centre throughout the week, please contact the reception team on 01722 333214. We also loan blood pressure machines when required.
Blood testing
If you require blood tests, you can request an appointment for this at the surgery. This service is primarily intended for non-urgent blood samples and you may have to book several weeks in advance for an appointment.
Alternatively you may find it more convenient to attend Salisbury Hospital for your test. The hospital offers a walk-in service for blood tests open Monday to Friday from 8 am until 5 pm. If this is your preference you can collect a blood form from the surgery reception and take this to the hospital.
By car: Enter hospital site at Entrance A. Park in car park 3 or 8.
By bus: Alight at Main Entrance (third stop). Enter the hospital at Main Entrance (level 3) and follow the signs for blood tests.
From car park 8: follow the signs to the Sarum Entrance (level 3). The department is located on the right.
Home blood pressure monitoring
Having high blood pressure is one of several ‘risk factors’ that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, a stroke, or other serious medical conditions.
As a rule; the higher the blood pressure – the greater the risk. Treatment can include a change in lifestyle – losing weight if you are overweight, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol, stopping smoking and a low salt intake. Medication can also be prescribed to lower blood pressure.
Blood pressure monitoring resources
Diagnosed with hypertension
If you have been diagnosed with hypertension we recommend buying your own blood pressure monitor for use at home. This is because blood pressure readings can fluctuate quite considerably during the course of the day and taking an average of several readings over time gives us a better picture of your blood pressure level than a single reading taken at the surgery. Readings taken at the surgery also tend to be higher than those taken at home and could result in overtreatment.
The British Hypertension Society recommends taking your blood pressure twice daily for seven days if you are concerned it is raised, or wish to check your treatment is effective. The weekly average reading should be less than 135/85 to be considered ‘normal’ or ‘controlled’. Download our document to record your BP readings.
Picking your machine
Choosing a machine can be difficult and it is important to buy a ‘clinically validated’ model that will give you an accurate and reliable reading. With this in mind it is worth looking at this guide:
Machine costs
For maximum convenience we recommend buying your own blood pressure machine, many of these are now available for under £30. This is especially useful if you are on treatment which requires regular monitoring.
If you do not feel able to make this purchase you can ask reception to be added to a waiting list to borrow a machine from us free of charge.
Contact us online
If you need help with a non-urgent medical or admin request, you can now contact us online.