Patients can now book their blood tests online for Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) at Seacroft Hospital, James Reed House in Beeston, and Armley Moor Health Centre.
The new service aims to cut waiting times and give patients a more convenient option. Appointments from 10 June 2025 are available to be booked now at www.leedsth.nhs.uk/book-a-blood-test
The CDCs, operated by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, offer patients a range of tests closer to their homes. The new booking system, called Swiftqueue, is designed to be easy for patients to access and to manage their appointments.
Karen Ledgard, Head of Nursing at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Since the opening of the CDCs, 50,000 blood tests have been carried out at the three centres. The previous walk-in system has led to long waits for patients at busy times. We hope this new system will make it easier for our patients to arrange appointments at their convenience.”
“This new system will help us manage the flow of patients through the centre and we hope it will mean people don’t have to wait long for their tests – patients can be in and out and get on with their day. It’s great for patients who live near these centres, that they can book their blood tests closer to home and don’t have to travel so far.”
Swiftqueue, by Dedalus, is a digital patient flow and appointment management platform used by more than 100 healthcare organisations in the UK and Ireland.
Brendan Casey, CEO of Swiftqueue, said: “We’re proud to support The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in improving patient flow and reducing waiting times. By providing online appointment scheduling with 24/7 access for patients and staff, we’re helping to optimise patient flow – delivering more efficient, accessible care at a time when supporting the NHS has never been more critical.”
Patients are asked to be aware that Beeston and Armley CDCs can only offer blood tests for people aged 16 and over. Seacroft CDC can offer blood tests for anyone aged five and over.
When using the online system for the first time, patients will be guided to create an account and follow the on-screen instructions to arrange their appointment.
Minimal information is required to set up an account and make an appointment. Patients will be asked to provide their name and date of birth, and an email address. The email address does not need to be their own – it could be a friend, relative or carer who is assisting them or making the booking on their behalf.
If patients arrive without a pre-booked appointment, they will be allocated the next available slot on arrival. This could be later in the day or a different day during busy times, so all appointments should be pre-booked online in advance if possible.
Walk-in blood tests are still available at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, Chapel Allerton Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.
CDCs are a positive new development, bringing diagnostic services closer to patients, reducing waiting times and improving access to essential tests and scans. This leads to faster diagnoses, earlier treatment initiation, and ultimately, better patient outcomes. CDCs also help alleviate pressure on hospitals, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
For more information about blood tests in Leeds, please visit https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/services/blood-testing/