Need a blood test in Clayton South? Australian Clinical Labs has a pathology collection service onsite at Mediclinic. If your practitioner orders blood, urine or swab tests, you can usually have them collected in the same building. You won’t need to travel somewhere else.
Pathology tests help your practitioner diagnose conditions, monitor ongoing health problems and check how treatments are working. They are a routine part of general practice.
Blood tests and other pathology in Clayton South
Common reasons your practitioner might order pathology include:
- Routine health checks. Such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney and liver function. See Health assessments.
- Chronic disease monitoring. Such as diabetes, heart, kidney and thyroid conditions. See Chronic disease management.
- Iron studies. Including before and after iron infusions.
- Sexual health testing. Including STI checks through our sexual health clinic. Samples can often be collected on the day of your consultation.
- Pregnancy and women’s health tests. See Women’s health.
- Medication monitoring. For some medicines that need regular blood tests.
- Employment medicals. When your employer requires tests. See Employment medicals.
How it works
See your practitioner
Your GP or Nurse Practitioner decides which tests you need and gives you a pathology request form. This may be paper or electronic.
Check any preparation
Some tests need preparation, such as fasting or a specific time of day. Your practitioner will tell you if your test does. If you’re unsure, ask before you leave.
Have your sample collected
Go to the Australian Clinical Labs collection service at Mediclinic. Bring your request form and Medicare card. Ask reception about current collection times.
Get your results
Results are sent to the practitioner who ordered the tests. Book a follow-up appointment to go through them. Some results can be discussed by phone if your practitioner agrees.
Collection times: Pathology collection hours are set by Australian Clinical Labs and may differ from the clinic’s hours. Please ask reception for current collection times before you come in, especially if you need to fast.
Tips for your blood test
- If you need to fast, follow your practitioner’s instructions. You can usually still drink water.
- Keep taking your usual medicines unless you’ve been told otherwise.
- Drink some water beforehand (unless told not to). Being well hydrated can make collection easier.
- Tell the collector if you feel faint with needles or have had problems with blood tests before.
- Wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily.
Results and follow-up
Your results go to the practitioner who requested them. Reception staff can’t give out results. This protects your privacy and makes sure a clinician explains what the results mean for you. Before results are given over the phone, we confirm your identity.
It’s a good idea to book your follow-up appointment before you leave, so you can go through your results without delay.
Costs
Many pathology tests are covered by Medicare, but some tests attract a fee. Australian Clinical Labs can tell you whether a cost applies to your tests. Your consultation with your practitioner is billed separately. See our fees page for consultation fees.
Do I need an appointment for a blood test?
You need a pathology request from a practitioner. Ask reception about collection times and whether you need to book a collection time.
What are the pathology collection hours?
Collection hours are set by Australian Clinical Labs and can change. Please ask reception for current collection times.
Do I need to fast before my blood test?
Only some tests need fasting. Your practitioner will tell you if yours does. If you need to fast, you can usually still drink water.
How do I get my results?
Results go to the practitioner who ordered the tests. Book a follow-up appointment to discuss them. Reception staff can’t give results out.
Will I have to pay for pathology?
Many tests are covered by Medicare, but some attract a fee. Australian Clinical Labs can tell you if a cost applies.