When you attend for a test of any kind you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results. Please call in or telephone reception who will be able to tell you whether the result is normal or whether you need to come and see your doctor for further treatment or investigation.
It is advisable to telephone the surgery for test results after 10am as the telephone lines are busiest in the early mornings. Please note if any results are marked as urgent by the Doctors, we will contact you and arrange an appointment in an appropriate timescale.
Please be patient with our reception staff, they are only able to tell you if the results have been actioned as normal, no action required, or whether you should come in or arrange a telephone consultation. As they are not clinical staff, they cannot discuss test results. A copy of your results can be requested, providing the Doctor has reviewed them and that ID is brought along to collect to verify identification.
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.
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.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS 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 website.
Cervical Screening
A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Detecting and removing abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer.
The Cervical Screening Programme
All women who are registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening:
- aged 25 to 49 – every three years
- aged 50 to 64 – every five years
- over 65 – only women who haven’t been screened since age 50 or those who have recently had abnormal tests
Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing. However, cervical screening isn’t 100% accurate and doesn’t prevent all cases of cervical cancer. Screening is a personal choice and you have the right to choose not to attend.
