Test results

Getting your test results

When you attend for a test of any kind the GP or nurse will be able to advise you how long it will take for the practice to receive the results. When the practice receives test results the GP/nurse decides if any further action is required. If you need a prescription, an appointment or any further tests, we will contact you to advise you. You do not need to contact the surgery. If however you want to phone for your results, please only call the surgery after the time suggested by the GP, nurse or receptionist.

Our reception staff are not qualified to interpret or comment on results. They are only able to read out your results and the GP/nurses comments.

Please note that 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.

Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can view them:

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.   For some children, it may be more appropriate for the doctor to arrange the test  within a hospital based clinic.

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.