Patient Access
Results Of Tests And Investigations
Our samples are collected daily by courier and sent to the hospital laboratory for analysis. Depending on the test, the result can take anything from 3 days to 1 month. The clinician will advise you about the possible length of time.
It is the Practice policy to only notify patients of abnormal results, or those that require action or intervention. The only exception to this is with tests that require a follow-up such as cervical smear tests. The Practice will write with this result indicating a repeat date.
Patients can telephone for their results if they wish, but we ask that this is after 2.00pm to keep the patient line free in the morning for calls requiring home visits or urgent appointments. Results are given on request to the person to whom they relate, or to the parents of minors.
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 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.
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 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.