A blood sampling device, comprising: a lancet having a skin piercing member disposed at an end thereof; an elongated lancet guide, said lancet disposed within and axially movable relative to said lancet guide; a shell defining an outer housing of said device, said lancet guide disposed at least partially within said shell with a first longitudinal end of said lancet guide extending from said shell and placed against a user's skin in operation of said sampling device, said shell axially movable relative to said lancet guide from a rest position to an actuate position; a bias element disposed between said lancet and a stop on said shell; a releasable catch configured on said lancet guide, said catch engaged with said lancet in a rest position of said lancet, and a release member configured on said shell so as to contact and release said catch in said actuate position of shell; and wherein in use of said device, forced movement of said shell relative to said lancet guide loads said bias element against said lancet until said release member contacts and releases said catch at said actuate position of said shell such that said lancet is propelled by said bias element through said lancet guide, wherein said lancet guide is an open-ended longitudinally extending member, said bias element extending through a second longitudinal end of said lancet guide and disposed against said lancet, and wherein said lancet guide comprises a recessed skin engagement area at said first longitudinal end thereof; characterised by the device further comprising a blood testing device configured with said housing; and in that said catch comprises a cantilevered clip engaged within a recess in said lancet, wherein said clip comprises an angled engagement surface, and said release member comprises a wedge surface that engages said angled engagement surface on said clip to move said clip out of said recess in said lancet. a lancet having a skin piercing member disposed at an end thereof; an elongated lancet guide, said lancet disposed within and axially movable relative to said lancet guide; a shell defining an outer housing of said device, said lancet guide disposed at least partially within said shell with a first longitudinal end of said lancet guide extending from said shell and placed against a user's skin in operation of said sampling device, said shell axially movable relative to said lancet guide from a rest position to an actuate position; a bias element disposed between said lancet and a stop on said shell; a releasable catch configured on said lancet guide, said catch engaged with said lancet in a rest position of said lancet, and a release member configured on said shell so as to contact and release said catch in said actuate position of shell; and wherein in use of said device, forced movement of said shell relative to said lancet guide loads said bias element against said lancet until said release member contacts and releases said catch at said actuate position of said shell such that said lancet is propelled by said bias element through said lancet guide, wherein said lancet guide is an open-ended longitudinally extending member, said bias element extending through a second longitudinal end of said lancet guide and disposed against said lancet, and wherein said lancet guide comprises a recessed skin engagement area at said first longitudinal end thereof; characterised by the device further comprising a blood testing device configured with said housing; and in that said catch comprises a cantilevered clip engaged within a recess in said lancet, wherein said clip comprises an angled engagement surface, and said release member comprises a wedge surface that engages said angled engagement surface on said clip to move said clip out of said recess in said lancet.