CyprusLiving

It has been some time since I needed a blood test, but now I have to attend Paphos General next week for blood and urine tests and I hear that the procedures may have changed.

I take it that you drop off urine samples at the lab reception much as before, but what is the routine now for blood tests. I have the ticketed authorisation from the doctor, but no fixed date to attend. I was thinking Wednesday. Can anyone point out the latest procedures please and times of availability?

Proceed straight to the blood bank on the ground floor and take a ticket (VERY IMPORTANT!). The reception desk opens at 7 a.m., to 9. Try to join the queue according to your number. I found people would let you in by showing your number. You will be given a phial to take to the donation room where people are taken in batches of 6. Again check other numbers which will give you an idea of when your turn will be. Last week I was out by 7.35 (having arrived at 6.35). I did note however that at 9.30 there only remains a very small number of people waiting so maybe it might be worth checking in at reception later when the rush has gone. There is no need to register at the main desk but you must have your pink card and the doctor's form. Hope this will be of help.

I had to attend the General once for these tests to be done. It involved being there by 7am, waiting in a long queue, to collect bottles, an even longer snaking queue to get to the room where the blood was being taken, being stabbed by an unsympathetic woman who didin't even give me materials to stop the bleeding afterwards. Then going back about 1pm for the results. Then another queue to go to see the doctor. It was exhausting.
The next time I went to an excellant private lab in Paphos where the same tests were carried out. Walking in, nice and clean. Minimal waiting. A well trained Lab technician who did the job for me quickly and proffesionally. For a charge of 50E. (Not including urine test).All results ready by next day, some after 2hrs.
Took the results to the Doctor. For me it was a much better experience.
Dee

Hello Dee. You quote €50 for a blood test done privately which to me seems expensive (€20-25 in France). A consultation with a specialist here, including an injection only costs €40. Maybe others could give their input as to the amount they have been charged privately for basic blood tests.

Quite agree kili1, my OH needs occasional blood and urine tests and always has them done privately and at very reasonable cost. Not prepared to face the General just to save a few euros.

I agree with petit mousse as to what you need to do. The place is busier nowadays, because more Cypriots are using it instead of private ones, because of diminished funds.

I usually arrive at 08-30 but it is still a toss up as to how busy it will be.

if the forms you have were from a doctor at the General then the results could go direct to him or her. but you could ask that when you are having the blood taken.

Trev..

Thanks all