BRAVE Clinic
Gentle Support for Difficult Blood Tests
The BRAVE Clinic at Shire Family Medical is designed to support patients who may find blood tests particularly difficult.
This service is especially suited to:
- young children
- patients with severe needle phobia
- patients with neurodivergence
- patients with intellectual disability
- patients with a history of difficult blood collection
Our goal is to make the experience as calm, gentle, and supportive as possible for both patients and carers.
What Is the BRAVE Clinic?
The BRAVE Clinic (Behavioural Response to Anxiety in VEnepuncture) is a dedicated clinic run by Dr Louis Traynor at Shire Family Medical for patients who may need extra care, planning, and support during blood collection.
Some patients struggle with blood tests because of anxiety, distress, sensory sensitivities, behavioural concerns, difficult veins, or previous negative experiences. This clinic has been created to help make the process safer, smoother, and less stressful.
Where appropriate, Dr Traynor may also use his experience in ultrasound-guided vascular access to help improve the chance of successful blood collection, particularly for patients with difficult veins.
Who Is This Clinic For?
The BRAVE Clinic is primarily intended for:
- children who become very anxious or distressed during blood tests
- children who have had difficult or unsuccessful blood tests in the past
- patients with severe needle phobia
- neurodivergent patients who may benefit from a calmer and more tailored approach
- adults with intellectual disability who may find blood collection especially challenging
- patients known to have difficult veins or a history of multiple failed attempts
This clinic is not designed as a standard walk-in blood collection service. It is a screened and planned service for patients who are likely to benefit from additional support.
How the Service Works
To help us determine whether the BRAVE Clinic is suitable, all patients must complete an enquiry form before booking.
After receiving your form submission, we will review the information provided. In some cases, Dr Traynor may need to contact you to ask a few follow-up questions before confirming an appointment.
This process helps us assess:
- whether the clinic is appropriate for the patient
- whether any extra preparation is needed
- whether fasting is required
- whether EMLA has been used before
- whether there are any behavioural, sensory, or safety considerations we should be aware of
Once the screening process is complete, suitable patients can then be formally booked into the clinic.
Clinic Fee
The BRAVE Clinic operates as a private clinic service.
Fee: $29 per patient
For difficult access requiring advanced techniques such as ultrasound guidance: $79 per patient
This fee applies to the clinic assessment and support provided for the procedure. Fees may change over time.
Clinic Availability
The BRAVE Clinic runs one day per week at Shire Family Medical.
Appointments are limited, so completing the enquiry form with accurate information will help us assess your needs and contact you promptly.
Important Information Before Booking
Before submitting your enquiry, please note:
- this service is intended for patients who may need additional support with blood tests
- submitting the form does not automatically confirm a booking
- a parent, guardian, or carer should complete the form where appropriate
- we may contact you for further information before offering an appointment
- fasting requirements should be confirmed in advance if requested on your pathology form
- if EMLA has been used before, please let us know whether there has ever been a skin reaction
Meet Dr Louis Traynor
Dr Louis Traynor is a Specialist Emergency Doctor (FACEM) with dual training in adult and paediatric emergency medicine (PEM), recognised by the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).
He has extensive experience across St George Hospital, Sutherland Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Dr Traynor has a strong interest in caring for young children and patients with neurodivergence, with a focus on minimising anxiety and distress during procedures. He is skilled in ultrasound-guided vascular access, helping maximise first-attempt success, particularly in children with difficult veins.
As a father of four and a Sutherland Shire local, Louis is passionate about providing calm, gentle, and trusted care for families through the BRAVE Clinic.
Submit a BRAVE Clinic Enquiry
Please complete this form before requesting an appointment for the BRAVE Clinic.
This information helps us assess whether the clinic is suitable for the patient and whether any additional preparation is needed before booking. Submission of this form does not guarantee an appointment. We may contact you to ask follow-up questions before confirming a booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The BRAVE Clinic is designed for patients who may find blood tests especially difficult, including young children, patients with severe needle phobia, neurodivergent patients, and some adults with intellectual disability or a history of difficult blood collection.
The BRAVE clinic sees patients of all ages – from birth into late adulthood.
No. All patients are screened before booking. Once we receive your enquiry, we will review the information provided and may contact you for follow-up questions before confirming whether an appointment can be arranged.
The clinic is mainly designed for children, but it may also be suitable for some adults with intellectual disability and/or severe needle phobia.
The BRAVE Clinic fee is $29 per patient. For difficult access requiring advanced techniques such as ultrasound guidance the BRAVE Clinic fee is $79 per patient. These fees may change over time.
Not always. We ask about previous EMLA use and any skin reactions as part of the screening process. If needed, we can discuss this with you before the appointment is confirmed.
EMLA can be purchased over the counter from most community pharmacies, however EMLA packs (which include instructions) can be purchased from Shire Family Medical for $8.50
Once your form has been submitted, we will review the information and contact you if any follow-up information is needed. Suitable patients can then be formally booked into the clinic.