Awanui Labs (previously Canterbury SCL) - Northfield

It is best to book online beforehand but you can just turn up. Wait times differ each day. Some days when I’ve just walked in we’ve been seen almost immediately; other times had to wait hours. Some staff are better than others at taking blood samples but they are all doing a wonderful job. Could be some extra parking space as sometimes the reserved parks can be all taken.

This morning wasn’t too busy. Huge shoutout to Jo on the staff — she was incredibly thorough, took the time to organise my file copy, and did my blood test so smoothly that I didn’t feel a thing.

What a shambles! I made an apt for Wed 21 May at 9.16am. When I arrived the waiting room was full, but didn’t worry as I had an appointment. I waited 45 min seeing my name on the booking screen slowly coming up to the top obviously running late, but then approx 6 people after me on the screen were taken ahead, while I was left waiting!nI managed to catch a staff member to enquire about my wait, who said she’d take me next after the client she’d just called. So I waited for a further 15 min while other people with appointments were being called.nSeriously? When I finally got called, an hour after my booked appointment, the lady said there must be a glitch in the system.nOn a side note, I can’t count the number of people who walked in without an apt and left because the wait was 1-2 hrs.nAll the staff were lovely, kind and respectful. It’s clear tho there are big problems with this service. Yes it’s free, but in future I’d rather pay a small fee to have my blood test done in a timely manner, ie with the nurse at my GP clinic.

Second time I’ve tried and failed to use Awanui - Northfield. First time was told to turn up and get in queue and would be fast. Completely jam packed waiting room, tried to wait it out but an hour later hardly anyone had moved. Second time booked an appointment, arrived 20 minutes early and again no one was seen, at least this time an excuse was provided that their systems were down… by far the worst lab test experience I’ve ever had actually not even had as never got a test. Complete shambles of a service.

This is the best blood testing place, always friendly and efficient. But down one star today due to service area being unmanned, they really need to employ someone to help people to save the blood testers time and save people from having to wait so long. Very busy in here. It would also help to have blood testers who speak clear English, the one I had today I could hardly understand at all.

Directions to Awanui Labs (previously Canterbury SCL) - Northfield with public transportation

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