Pathology & Lab Work
On-site phlebotomy and pathology coordination at NeoHealth in George Central. Bloods are drawn at the practice and walk to Ampath, located in the same building, for SANAS-accredited laboratory processing. Most routine panels are back the next working day; some specialised tests run 3 to 5 working days.
Provided by Dr Ethan Chellan and Dr Claudia Lakay, MBChB (Stellenbosch University).
What we offer
Routine blood panels
The practice draws and coordinates routine blood panels including:
- Full blood count (FBC): screens for anaemia, infection markers, and platelet abnormalities
- Urea & electrolytes (U+E): kidney function and electrolyte balance, important for chronic disease, anti-hypertensive monitoring, and pre-procedure baseline
- Lipid panel (cholesterol): total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides for cardiovascular risk assessment
- HbA1c: 3-month glucose average for diabetes screening and monitoring
- Fasting glucose: snapshot of current glucose state, used alongside HbA1c
- Thyroid function (TSH, free T4): thyroid screening and monitoring on thyroid medication
- Liver function (LFT): liver health, screened for chronic disease, alcohol risk, and certain medications
- Vitamin B12 and folate: screened where neurological symptoms, anaemia, or vegan diet suggest deficiency
- Vitamin D: screened where bone health, fatigue, or chronic disease suggests deficiency
- Iron studies (ferritin, iron, transferrin): screened where anaemia or hair loss suggests iron deficiency
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR): screened where infection or inflammatory disease is suspected
Sexually transmitted infection screening
HIV testing, syphilis (RPR), Hepatitis B serology, and Hepatitis C screening are routinely available. We also coordinate STI screening including swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea where indicated. Confidentiality is standard practice. See our patient guide to STI testing in South Africa for the full picture on when and what to test.
Occupational health bloods
Pre-employment and fitness-for-duty bloods are drawn at the practice for clients in industries requiring them: construction, mining, healthcare, transport, and others. Standard occupational health panels include FBC, U+E, LFT, Hepatitis B serology (for healthcare and at-risk industries), and where indicated HIV (with proper consent), syphilis, and tuberculosis screening. Reports are issued in formats accepted by employers and occupational health practitioners.
Preventive screening bloods
Most major South African medical aid schemes include an annual preventive screening benefit that covers a panel of routine bloods (typically FBC, lipids, HbA1c or glucose, U+E, and LFT). The consultation is usually claimable as a preventive care benefit on top of the bloods themselves. See our preventive care service page for the broader scheme-funded screening benefit detail. Reception confirms your scheme's specific benefit at booking.
Specialised pathology
Where the clinical picture requires specialised pathology (autoimmune panels, hormone panels, tumour markers, fertility bloods, allergy testing), we coordinate the request with Ampath or refer to specialist laboratories where needed. Turnaround for specialised tests is typically 3 to 5 working days.
How a pathology visit works
Most pathology visits are straightforward and complete in 10 to 15 minutes total.
Booking and fasting. Some panels need fasting (typically 8 to 12 hours; water is fine). Fasting bloods include lipids, fasting glucose, and certain liver function tests. HbA1c does NOT need fasting. We confirm fasting requirements at booking and send a reminder. If you forget and have eaten, call reception to reschedule rather than coming in for inaccurate results.
At the visit. Reception confirms your medical aid details and the requested tests. The doctor or trained nurse draws bloods (typically one to three vacutainer tubes depending on panels requested). The whole draw takes 2 to 5 minutes; samples are immediately walked next door to Ampath. You can leave straight after the draw.
Results. Most routine panels are back the next working day. We review results and contact you with a summary, the values, and any action needed. Where results are within normal limits and no action is needed, we communicate that too. Where results need attention, we book a follow-up consultation to discuss the findings and the next step (further tests, treatment, or specialist referral).
Repeat bloods. For chronic disease monitoring (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, lipids on statin), repeat bloods are typically scheduled at 3 to 6 month intervals depending on the condition and current control. We schedule the next set at the visit so you do not need to remember to book it.
Doctor's request vs walk-in pathology
You do not always need a GP consultation to get bloods done. South African patients can walk into Ampath, Lancet, or PathCare directly and request specific tests as private cash-pay. Where that is the right pathway, we tell you.
When you need a doctor's request:
- Medical aid claims. To claim from your scheme, the bloods must be linked to a doctor's request with appropriate ICD-10 codes; cash-pay walk-ins typically do not qualify for medical aid coverage.
- Clinical interpretation. Routine panels with no clinical context can give numbers without meaning. A consultation costs less than re-running bloods because you misunderstood a borderline result.
- Specialised tests. Autoimmune panels, hormone studies, tumour markers, and certain genetic tests typically require clinical justification on the request form.
When walk-in is fine:
- Single-test screening you have decided on (HIV self-testing, basic glucose, basic cholesterol).
- Routine repeats where you already have a doctor's plan and just need the periodic blood draw (we still recommend the 6-month or annual GP review around them).
- Cash-pay tests for personal interest (Vitamin D, ferritin, micronutrient panels) where you understand a result without medical context can be misleading.
If you are in doubt, book the consultation. The cost of one GP visit is typically less than the cost of repeating bloods because you ran the wrong tests or misread a borderline result.
Cost and medical aid
Pathology billing is split between the consultation (the GP visit), the procedure (drawing the bloods), and the laboratory (Ampath running the tests).
Consultation. Standard GP consultation fee, billable to your medical aid as a clinical visit.
Phlebotomy procedure. A small fee for the blood draw itself, typically billable to medical aid as part of the procedure code.
Laboratory tests. Ampath bills your medical aid directly for the laboratory work. Most major South African schemes cover routine panels in full; specialised tests may have a co-payment depending on your plan. Ampath confirms with the scheme before processing where coverage is uncertain.
Preventive screening benefits. Most major schemes include an annual preventive screening benefit that covers a panel of routine bloods (typically FBC, lipids, HbA1c or glucose, U+E, LFT) without affecting your day-to-day medical savings. Reception confirms whether your scheme has this benefit and whether you have used it for the year at booking.
Cash-pay and self-funded. For patients without medical aid, cash-pay is straightforward. Ampath quotes the lab fees on the day; reception confirms the practice consultation and procedure fees in advance.
For chronic disease patients on regular bloodwork (diabetes, hypertension, statin monitoring, thyroid medication), see also our chronic medication service for prescription co-management with bloods scheduled around it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral or appointment for blood tests?
You can book a phlebotomy slot directly with reception. For most patients, the bloods are linked to a GP consultation (current or recent) so the request and interpretation are coordinated. If you have a recent doctor's request from another practice, we can draw bloods against that request as well.
How soon will I get my results?
Most routine panels (FBC, U+E, lipids, HbA1c, thyroid, liver function) come back the next working day. Specialised tests (autoimmune panels, hormone studies, certain hormone or tumour markers) typically take 3 to 5 working days. We contact you with the results and any action needed.
Do I need to fast before bloods?
Some panels need fasting (8 to 12 hours; water is fine), particularly lipids and fasting glucose. HbA1c does NOT need fasting. We confirm the requirement at booking and send a reminder. If you have eaten when you should have fasted, call reception to reschedule rather than coming in for inaccurate results.
Can I just go to Ampath directly without seeing a doctor?
For some tests, yes. Self-pay walk-in is fine for single-test screening you have decided on (HIV self-testing, basic glucose, basic cholesterol). For tests linked to medical aid claims, ICD-10 coding, clinical interpretation, or specialised tests, you need a GP request. If unsure, book the consultation; one visit is typically cheaper than repeating bloods because the wrong tests were run.
Is HIV testing confidential?
Yes. HIV testing is confidential medical care. Results are not shared with employers, family members, or anyone else without your explicit consent. The result is communicated to you directly. We do not associate HIV care with WhatsApp communications for privacy reasons; results are discussed in consultation or by call.
Will my medical aid cover the bloods?
Most major South African schemes cover routine panels in full when there is a doctor's request with appropriate ICD-10 codes. Specialised tests may have a co-payment depending on your plan. Most schemes also include an annual preventive screening benefit that covers a panel of routine bloods. Reception confirms your scheme's specific coverage at booking.
Can I get bloods drawn for an employer or pre-employment medical?
Yes. Pre-employment and fitness-for-duty bloods are drawn at the practice with reports issued in formats accepted by employers and occupational health practitioners. Standard occupational health panels include FBC, U+E, LFT, Hepatitis B serology, and where indicated HIV (with proper consent), syphilis, and tuberculosis screening. Mention the employer's requirement at booking so we can match the panel.
How do I get my results if I am traveling or out of George?
Results can be communicated by phone, email, or at a follow-up consultation depending on what works for you. Tell us at the time of bloods which channel you prefer. For abnormal results requiring discussion or a treatment plan, a follow-up consultation is recommended over email-only communication.
Who performs this service
Both doctors order, oversee, and review pathology across the practice. Phlebotomy is performed at the practice by the doctor or a trained nurse; samples walk to Ampath, located in the same building, for processing.
Dr Ethan Chellan
Dr Chellan oversees pathology requests where they relate to chronic disease, HIV, child health, and preventive medicine, and reviews results with patients in follow-up consultations. He holds the MBChB (Stellenbosch University). Read more about Dr Chellan.
Dr Claudia Lakay
Dr Lakay performs on-site blood draws and oversees pathology coordination with Ampath, located in the same building as NeoHealth. She holds the MBChB (Stellenbosch University) and reviews results with patients in follow-up consultations particularly for women's health and chronic medication coordination. Read more about Dr Lakay.
Book your pathology visit
Book online or call reception. Tell us at booking which panels are required (or share the doctor's request) so we can confirm fasting requirements, plan the panel, and check your medical aid benefit.
NeoHealth
Suite 12, Prince Vintcent Square
Gloucester Avenue, George Central, 6530
Western Cape, South Africa
Walking distance from Mediclinic George. Undercover parking available in Prince Vintcent Square. Ampath is located in the same building.