Test Results

Unless the GP/nurse has marked your test "urgent", it is very unlikely that a result will be available before seven days have elapsed.

Please telephone reception, or call in, preferably after 2.00pm Monday to Friday. The practice will contact you only in the event your doctor would like to discuss your results further with you.

In the interest of confidentiality, test results will normally only be given to the patient concerned.  However, the patient may give written permission for us to disclose medical information to a named person, for example husband or wife. A 'permission' slip is available from the receptionists.

Submitting Specimens

Transport is provided to take specimens to the hospital at 2.00pm each day. Specimens MUST, therefore, be handed in to reception by 1.45pm at the latest, with your name and date of birth clearly written on the container.

You may telephone or call at the surgery for the results of your tests. The practice will contact you only in the event your doctor would like to discuss your results further with you.

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 may 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.