Awanui Labs - Lower Hutt

"Havent been here too many times, but even when busy the wait isnt too long, and the staff are all friendly"

"I 100% recommend Prianka if you or your child is needle phobic. She uses a ‘butterfly needle’ which is tiny and gets small children’s veins first time every time!"

"I’m meant to have regular blood tests. If I go in to have them in Upper Hutt, it’s a quick and easy task. But I’ve moved to Lower Hutt in the last year, and EVERY time I come in, it’s a queue out the door. Why is there such a big difference between services. With Lower Hutt having a bigger population you’d think they’d invest in better service here. I’ve waited and had to leave because it’s taking too long, or I’ve just turned around and walked out when I see the queue. All in all - now well overdue to have blood tests and will have to take time out from work to be able to spend the time waiting. There’s also never enough seats. EDIT: this is not blaming staff - I’m sure they’re doing the best they can with what they have. I just think maybe they need better facilities or more resource. When i actually get to having blood taken the staff are always pleasant"

"I have been here about thirty times now for various tests and drop offs over the last 3 years. It has become increasingly disorganised. It’s a clean space, and the procedures are fairly straightforward, but the main area staff are a bit of a disaster. Often, they have no sense of the discretion that people who are ill and investigating their health value and want. Today they dropped my sample (could have been anything right?) and then held it up, fumbled, then giggled nervously - none of it was ok really. I was so embarrassed for them I had to turn around. Such bad handling - despite the fact I’d just said - look I’ve put it discreetly in here in a correctly labeled bag, but the pot label isn’t right, just so you know. They should have dealt with it without embarrassing me and possibly grossing out everyone around (yes lots of looks!). It wasn’t stool (haha now you’re maybe wondering)- the point is they should have had handled it better. It made me wonder about their training. They had a what-am-I-doing-ness that is far from professional. I’ve sat there for many wait times ranging from 0-45 minutes. The other patients often exchange looks about the staff errors we witness. There’s nothing to do but hear them (earphones help but morbid interest can win). It is awkward that they discuss patient things in earshot. It’s without names, but general descriptions like ‘that man’ , and it doesn’t feel respectful. The bulk of the visible staff group in general ranges from excessively bored to excessively stressed. There is definitely a sense that they are friends hanging out in a workplace but don’t carry a sense of being serious care workers. I feel sorry for the ones that are calm and centred. I’ve decided to use a different centre. I’d rather travel further than deal with this atmosphere. Although they use little intro sheets, they still get confused a lot. I feel for patients of serious illnesses that come here. I wouldn’t want to have to deal with the constant flow of accidents and confusion that I’ve seen, while being severely sick. I think it has to do with the standing up group meetings that seem to form just past the counter space. It doesn’t seem like a good place to discuss staff subjects. And until calm clear capacity is restored, I’m sure the negative reviews will continue to flow. I want to say though, that the nurses who took blood on various occasions, especially the slightly older ones, have always been especially excellent, and lovely in manner. They’ve been so nice to talk to, and their technique very good. The older reception staff too. They are why I kept coming for so long. I’d say they’re firmly working to not get dragged into the Gaggle vibe. I do think people should be able to choose where they prefer to go, depending on what they are going through. I am relieved to only have one more dropoff there."