Privacy and terms.

Who we are

Hello Bloods is the trading name of Laura Byfield, a self-employed phlebotomist based in Romsey, Hampshire. Laura is the “data controller” for the personal details you give us, which means she is responsible for looking after them.

Contact: info@hellobloods.co.uk or 07398 294723.

What we collect

When you enquire or book: your name, phone number, email address, the address where you would like your visit, your date of birth, and the test or service you want.

At your visit: information needed to take your sample safely, such as relevant medical conditions, medicines (for example blood thinners), allergies, and any request form from your GP, hospital or test provider.

After your visit: your test results, where we arrange the test for you, and a simple record of the visit.

If you contact us: the messages you send by phone, WhatsApp or email.

Why we use it

To arrange and carry out your visit, take your sample safely, send it to the laboratory and get your results to you.

To take payment, keep accounts and meet our legal duties.

To keep proper clinical records of your care.

We never use your details for marketing unless you have asked us to, and we never sell them.

Our legal basis

We use your details to provide the service you have asked for (a contract with you), to meet legal obligations such as tax records, and for our legitimate interest in running the business safely.

Health information is a special category of data. We use it only to provide your health care, under UK GDPR Article 9(2)(h), and keep it confidential.

Who we share it with

The laboratory that tests your sample, and the test provider we work with to arrange it, receive the details needed to process your test and return results.

If you ask us to, we share results with your GP or another clinician.

We also use trusted services to run the business, such as email, WhatsApp, payment and accounting providers. They only use your details to provide their service to us.

Some of these providers, such as WhatsApp, may process data outside the UK. Where that happens, they use legal safeguards approved for UK data.

Our website

Our website does not use advertising or tracking cookies.

If you use the postcode checker, your postcode is sent to postcodes.io, a free UK postcode service, to work out your distance from Romsey. We do not keep it unless you then send it to us.

The site loads its typeface from Google Fonts, which means your browser connects to Google’s servers.

How long we keep it

We keep clinical records and results for 8 years after your last appointment, in line with NHS guidance for health records, and for children until their 25th birthday or for 8 years, whichever is longer. Payment records are kept for 6 years for tax purposes. Enquiries that do not lead to a booking are deleted within 12 months.

After that, records are securely deleted or destroyed.

How we keep it safe

Paper forms are kept secure and never left in the car. Digital records are kept on password-protected devices and accounts, and only Laura can access them.

Your rights

You can ask to see the information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it, limit how we use it or object to how we use it. Some health records must be kept for the periods above even if you ask us to delete them, but we will always explain why.

To make a request, contact us using the details above. We will reply within one month.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, please tell us first. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.

About our service

Hello Bloods is a mobile phlebotomy service run by Laura Byfield, a self-employed phlebotomist. We visit homes, workplaces and care homes within 15 miles of Romsey to take blood samples.

We take samples and arrange tests; we do not diagnose or give medical advice. Please talk to your GP or another doctor about your results.

We are not an emergency service. If you are seriously unwell, call 999 or 111.

Booking

You can book by phone, WhatsApp or email. Your booking is confirmed once we have agreed a time and price with you and received your deposit.

All tests and packages are booked with a 25% deposit.

Prices and payment

Prices on our website include the home visit, the laboratory fee and your results, unless stated otherwise. Early-morning, evening and weekend visits, and travel beyond 5 miles from Romsey, carry the extra charges shown on our website. We confirm your total price before your visit.

The remaining balance is paid on the day of your visit, by card or bank transfer.

Requests from your GP, a hospital or another provider are priced on application.

Changes and cancellations

If you need to change or cancel, please let us know as soon as you can.

At least 48 hours before your visit: we will rearrange free of charge, or refund your deposit in full.

Less than 48 hours before, or if we cannot carry out the visit because you are not there: we may keep your deposit to cover our time and travel.

If we need to cancel or change your appointment, we will contact you as soon as possible and either rebook you or refund you in full.

If you booked by phone, WhatsApp or email, you also have a legal right to cancel within 14 days. By asking us to visit within that time, you agree that the right ends once your visit has taken place. If you cancel before your visit, we will refund you, less any costs we have already paid on your behalf, such as a test kit ordered for you.

Before your visit

We will tell you when you book if your test needs fasting or a particular time of day.

Drink plenty of water beforehand unless told otherwise, and have photo ID, any request form and a list of your medicines ready.

Please make sure we can park nearby and have a clean, well-lit place to sit, with pets kept in another room.

Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian present who agrees to the test.

Taking your sample

We usually make no more than two attempts to take a sample at a visit. If we cannot take one, we will offer a free return visit, or refund the test cost if you would rather not try again.

Occasionally a laboratory cannot process a sample, for example if it is damaged in transit. If that happens, we will arrange a repeat sample at no extra cost.

Results

Results are usually ready within 2 to 3 working days of the laboratory receiving your sample, although some tests take longer. We will tell you when to expect yours.

Results are sent to you securely, and to your GP or another clinician if you ask us to.

If the laboratory flags a result as needing urgent attention, we will contact you promptly and advise you to speak to your GP or NHS 111.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with any part of our service, please contact Laura on 07398 294723 or info@hellobloods.co.uk. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to resolve it within 20 working days.

The legal bit

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.