BRAVE Clinic for Blood Test Anxiety & Needle Phobia
(Behavioural Response to Anxiety in Venepuncture and Examinations)
Referral-Based Support for Difficult Blood Tests
The BRAVE Clinic at Shire Family Medical supports patients who may find blood tests particularly difficult due to anxiety, needle phobia, neurodivergence, intellectual disability, difficult veins or previous traumatic blood collection experiences.
BRAVE Clinic is a referral-based service. Patients require a written referral from their GP or paediatrician before booking their first appointment.
The first appointment is an in-person assessment with Dr Louis Traynor. This consultation may be eligible for a Medicare rebate with a valid referral, and a private out-of-pocket gap may apply.
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.
How to Book the BRAVE Clinic
Step 1: See your GP or Paediatrician
Before booking with the BRAVE Clinic, the patient should see their GP or paediatrician.
The referring doctor will need to:
- order the required blood tests
- provide a valid pathology request form
- write a referral to Dr Louis Traynor for BRAVE Clinic assessment
The referral can be sent to:
Dr Louis Traynor
Shire Family Medical
Healthlink EDI: shirefam
Step 2: Call Shire Family Medical to book an initial assessment
Once you have a written referral, please call Shire Family Medical on 02 9545 1777 to book an initial face-to-face assessment with Dr Louis Traynor.
This appointment allows Dr Traynor to assess the patient’s needs and determine whether the BRAVE Clinic is appropriate.
This initial assessment may be Medicare-rebatable with a valid referral, and an approximate $50 out-of-pocket fee is expected to apply.
Step 3: Return for the BRAVE Clinic procedure appointment
If the BRAVE Clinic is suitable, the patient will be booked for a separate procedure appointment.
This appointment is privately billed. The fee depends on the level of support required, such as standard support, complex behavioural support, ultrasound-guided vascular access, or home visit support where appropriate.
What is the BRAVE Clinic?
The BRAVE Clinic (Behavioural Response to Anxiety in Venepuncture and Examinations) 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
The BRAVE Clinic is also suitable for patients who are known to have difficult veins and may benefit from advanced vascular access techniques, such as ultrasound-guided cannulation.
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 BRAVE Clinic Referral Pathway Works
The BRAVE Clinic is a referral-based service for patients who may need extra support with blood tests, needle phobia, anxiety, distress, difficult veins, neurodivergence, intellectual disability, or previous traumatic blood collection experiences.
All new patients need a written referral from their GP or paediatrician before booking.
The first appointment is an in-person assessment with Dr Louis Traynor at Shire Family Medical. This allows Dr Traynor to review the referral, assess the patient’s needs, and determine whether the BRAVE Clinic is appropriate.
If the BRAVE Clinic is suitable, the blood collection or procedure appointment will be booked separately and privately charged.
This initial assessment helps us understand:
- whether the BRAVE Clinic is appropriate for the patient
- the reason for referral and the required blood test or procedure
- whether any extra preparation is needed
- whether fasting is required
- whether EMLA has been used before
- whether there are behavioural, sensory or safety considerations
- whether advanced techniques such as ultrasound-guided vascular access may be required
After the initial assessment, suitable patients can be booked for a separate BRAVE Clinic procedure appointment.
Booking Your Initial BRAVE Clinic Assessment
BRAVE Clinic appointments are managed by Shire Family Medical reception.
To book an initial face-to-face assessment with Dr Louis Traynor, please call 02 9545 1777.
Please have your written referral and pathology request form ready when calling.
Online booking is not available for BRAVE Clinic appointments.
Initial Assessment Fee
This is not the blood collection appointment. It is a separate assessment appointment used to determine whether the BRAVE Clinic is appropriate and what level of support may be required.
The first BRAVE Clinic appointment is an in-person medical assessment with Dr Louis Traynor. With a valid referral, this consultation may be eligible for a Medicare rebate under the relevant Medicare item number.
An out-of-pocket gap is expected to apply. The expected gap for the initial assessment is approximately $50 after the Medicare rebate, where Medicare eligibility and referral requirements are met.
Procedure Appointment Fees
The procedure appointment is booked only after the initial assessment, where appropriate.
If the BRAVE Clinic is suitable after the initial assessment, a separate procedure appointment will be arranged. Procedure appointments are privately charged. Fees vary depending on the level of support, behavioural preparation and techniques required.
The appropriate appointment type will be recommended after the initial assessment.
Standard Appointment
$85 on Saturdays
- Mild anxiety
- First attempt / no major issues
- Calm, child-friendly environment
- Gentle, step-by-step explanation
- Simple distraction techniques (conversation, focus shifting)
- Supportive positioning with parent involvement
- Focus on reducing fear and building confidence
- Designed for first-time or mildly anxious children
- Other distraction techniques such as the VR headset are included (if needed)
Complex Behavioural
$105 on Saturdays
- Previous difficulty
- Significant anxiety / distress
- Needs active behavioural work
- Everything included in Standard BRAVE
- Extra preparation for children with significant anxiety
- More structured behavioural support
- Parent coaching before and during the procedure
- Sensory-aware approach for neurodivergent children
- Flexible pacing within the appointment
- Choice-based language to help the child feel more in control
- Designed for children with prior distress, avoidance, or difficult blood test experiences
Advanced Techniques
$130 on Saturdays
- Known difficult access
- Previous failed attempts
- Likely to need ultrasound
- Everything included in Standard BRAVE
- Ultrasound-guided vein identification (for difficult access)
- Higher-level distraction strategies (e.g. immersive techniques)
- Tailored approach for significant anxiety or prior trauma
- Experience managing neurodivergent children (ASD, sensory needs)
- Increased focus on success when previous attempts have failed
Home Visit Support
- Severe anxiety or distress around blood tests
- Autism, sensory sensitivities, or behavioural challenges
- Previous failed or traumatic blood test experiences
- Unable to tolerate attending the clinic environment
- Blood collection performed in the familiarity of home
- Reduced sensory overload and environmental stress
- Tailored behavioural support approach
- Flexible pacing and preparation
- Parent/carer involvement and support
- Designed for patients requiring a highly individualised approach
- Focus on maximising comfort, safety, and success
Available within the Sutherland Shire and surrounding areas. Additional travel fees may apply outside our standard service area.
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 improve the chance of successful blood collection, particularly for children and patients 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.
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.
Yes. Patients need a written referral from their GP or paediatrician before booking an initial BRAVE Clinic assessment. A valid pathology request form is also required before blood can be collected.
No. BRAVE Clinic is a specialised blood collection service only and cannot issue blood test request forms. A valid pathology request form must be provided before your blood can be collected. BRAVE Clinic is not responsible for interpreting or managing test results. After your blood test, patients should follow up with the doctor who requested the test.
No. A referral allows you to book an initial face-to-face assessment with Dr Louis Traynor. After this assessment, Dr Traynor will determine whether the BRAVE Clinic is suitable and whether a separate procedure 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.
Please refer to the Procedure Appointment Fees section above.
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
No. BRAVE Clinic appointments are managed by Shire Family Medical reception. Please call 02 9545 1777 after obtaining a written referral from your GP or paediatrician.
No. The initial assessment is a separate appointment with Dr Louis Traynor. If the BRAVE Clinic is suitable, the blood collection or procedure appointment will be booked separately