Your doctor or nurse may have requested tests such as bloods, urine, x-ray or scans.  Usually, the clinician will have given clear instruction about obtaining the results or any follow up that may be required.  

Please do not assume that because we haven't contacted you that your results are normal.  We strongly advise you to check this as rarely samples can get lost in transit to the laboratory.  You can obtain your results by looking at your records online or by telephoning reception after 10.30am.

Results can take up to 1 week to be returned to us so please wait 1 week before telephoning reception unless your doctor/nurse has advised you to do otherwise.  

The practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and so we will not release test results other than to the person to whom they relate to, unless that person gives permission at that time.

For results, please ring the surgery after 10.30 am.

Results for tests that have been requested by a doctor or nurse at the practice will be available for you to see online as soon as the doctor has reviewed them. Tests ordered by hospital doctors will not be visible on your record.

You will be able to view the result of the test, along with a range which indicates what the laboratory says is normal. If your result lies outside this range it does not mean that there is a cause for concern. The doctor will have made a comment to indicate if there is any need for action or follow up. Here is an explanation of the various comments that may be used.

SEE PRACTICE/PATIENT NOTE- an action has been made. This is usually to ask a member of the reception team to contact you about the result. This may take up to 48 hours. If it is urgent this will be as soon as possible.

SATISFACTORY- your results may be showing as outside the normal range but the doctor does not feel that the difference is of any clinical significance and that no action needs to be taken at this time. This is a very common occurrence  and is nothing to be concerned about.

STABLE- your results may be showing as outside the normal range but the doctor has examined your records for similar tests and has found that the levels have not significantly changed, Doctors also use "stable" to indicate that blood tests associated with some long term conditions are stable.

REPEAT TEST- This means the test needs repeating, usually because it is slightly out of range and a repeat test will tell us if this has got better or the test is abnormal. Occasionally, it can be because of a technical issue at the laboratory.

KEEP APPOINTMENT- you have an appointment booked already. Either the doctor would like you to keep the appointment to discuss the results and any further steps or you have a nurse appointment for a long term condition. Please keep (if phone appointment) or attend (if face to face appointment) that you already have booked.

BOOK APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR- please contact the practice to make an appointment as the doctor would like to see you regarding your results. This is not necessarily urgent as you will be contacted by the practice if it is. Where possible please try to make an appointment with the doctor who asked for the tests to enable continuity.

BOOK TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT TO SEE A DOCTOR-please contact the practice to make an appointment to speak to the doctor. This is not necessarily urgent and you will be contacted by the practice if it is. Where possible please try to make this appointment with the doctor who asked for the tests.

INFECTION CONFIRMED ON CORRECT TREATMENT- the result has indicated an infection but the doctor has checked to see that you are on the correct treatment for the infection.

COLLECT PRESCRIPTION- the doctor has issued a prescription which you will need to collect. If you are not expecting this please contact the surgery for a further explanation.

If you have had tests which are not displayed on your record please contact the practice. Tests ordered by hospital specialists will NOT be visible so please do not enquire about those. Please contact the hospital.

If you still have a question about your result then please complete the e-consultation form that can be found on our website.

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 childs 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

 If the doctor or nurse has asked you to provide a pathology sample e.g. urine, stool, sputum, these must be left at reception before XXXXam, Monday - Friday.

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 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.