Test Results

Results of tests are only given by our secretarial staff and, therefore, you will need to ring between 11.30 - 12.30 Monday - Friday and ask to speak to your doctors' secretary.

The time in which results come back can vary. Below is a guideline, but can change depending on type of result and if these have to be sent off to a laboratory outside our area.

• Blood results: 5-7 working days
• X-rays: (requested by GP) Approx. 3 weeks
• Swabs: 2-3 weeks (can take longer if sent away)
• Cervical smear: 7 weeks approx
• Ultrasound, MRI scans, Cardiology reports etc can take a lot longer.

Please do remember that neither the reception staff or the doctors are able to discuss your results with a member of your family without your permission. This also means that we cannot discuss with you the results of any other member of your family, unless they have provided us with written permission to do so.

We ask you to take responsibility for your health and encourage you to contact us for the results of your investigations. Do not assume that if you have not heard anything it must be alright.

IF A TEST HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY A HOSPITAL DOCTOR THE RESULT WILL BE RETURNED TO THEM , NOT TO US

IMPORTANT: IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER, PLEASE ADVISE THE PRACTICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Blood Tests

A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

X-Ray

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have a X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.