Test Results
When you attend for a test of any kind, you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results; please bear this in mind and call the surgery during our usual working hours.
Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results. Therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.
We do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to, unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.
Getting your test results
If your test results show that you need more tests or treatment, we will contact you.
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can view them:
- in your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App) (Available from October 2023)
- phone or visit the surgery
- request to receive test results via SMS
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. 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. 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 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 blood tests page.
X-Rays
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 an 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 radiographer is 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 X-rays page.