FAQs

A qualified professional phlebotomist will arrange your blood draw within the clinic.

Please ensure you fully hydrate yourself 24 hours in advance of your appointment. Drink plenty water as this will help make the blood draw easier. If fasting is required this will be explained within the package information.

Blood testing can be performed from 18 years of age.

Please wear loose clothing and ensure your arms and hands are easily accessible.

You may be feeling nervous about you’re your appointment or have a fear of needles, please let our team know and we will ensure they support you to feel as calm and comfortable as possible. 

Turnaround times vary depending on the blood test you select, however on average you will receive your results within 5-7 working days. The clinic will let you know if the timescales differ.

Your blood sample will be analysed by our UK lab and the results will be sent directly to you. LifeStreamUK do not review or analyse your results, we recommend you discuss these with your preferred healthcare provider.

If we are unable to get a blood sample from you we will arrange a further appointment for you.

Many factors can play a part in an unsuccessful draw, this could be due to being cold, slightly dehydrated or recently having blood taken. Don’t worry, we will always offer a further appointment to try again. 

Brusing after a blood draw is fairly common and will generally go away on their own as the body reabsorbs the blood. If you are concerned, please speak to the clinic.

No, you do not need a referral to book an appointment. You may have concerns about your health and it can be useful to have scan results to then discuss with your GP or healthcare provider.

Research indicates that ultrasound scanning has no known risks. The scans are painless, although an internal scan may cause slight discomfort, and have no known side effects. Unlike other diagnostic imaging methods such as x-rays, ultrasound scans do not use ionising radiation.

We follow BMUS in terms of ultrasound safety.

A fully qualified sonographer will perform your ultrasound scan. All our sonographers are regulated healthcare professionals. All sonographers are registered with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) and follow the latest safety guidelines.

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission, an independent regulator to ensure the highest standards are maintained.

Refer to the relevant package for more details on how to prepare for your ultrasound scan.

You will receive the results immediately after your scan, a report will be provided with the scan findings. The report can be e-mailed or printed and can also be shared with your healthcare provider (GP) if you provide the relevant details and consent.

LifeStreamUK provides both trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound scans, depending on the purpose of the scan. Please refer to individual scan services for more information.

We recommend aiming to book your appointment at least 2 weeks in advance, we do operate a flexible appointment system and we will always do our very best to accommodate.

Appointment times vary, please refer to each individual service for further details.

We collect and use your information under EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

We do not share your information to third parties, however we have a duty of care to local authorities and the NHS if any medical referrals or safeguarding concerns were identified.

Our full Privacy Policy is available at your request.

We do have limited free parking available at South Shields and Carlisle. South Shields operate a permit system therefore please contact the team upon arrival to request a permit.

If you have any special requirements or require any support or assistance during your appointment please notify a member of the team and this can be arranged in advance of your appointment. 

LifeStreamUK does not require a booking deposit to secure your appointment, however if you need to cancel your appointment for any reason we kindly request 24 hours notice to arrange cancellation without incurring a cancellation fee. If you do not provide adequate notice and you would like to book a further appointment, then a deposit of £20 will be required upon booking. 

At LifeStreamUK, we are committed to provide a first class service, however if you would like to provide any feedback or make a complaint you can do so verbally by calling 0191 454 8779, emailing managers@lifestreamuk.co.uk or in writing to 9 Cookson House, South Shields, NE33 1TL. If you require a copy of our complaints procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask. This is also readily available in our reception area.