Your Test Results

You may ring the surgery for the results of tests after 10am but please remember the following points:

1. Results can only be given to the specific patient to whom they apply. In the interest of confidentiality please be prepared to identify yourself. Please do not phone for results for friends or relatives unless we hold written authority to discuss their case with you. We hope you will be understanding in this matter but we do not have a great deal of discretion in this area.
2. You will need to know the specific test results that you require. Some tests take longer than others to process. If you have had several tests then the receptionist will not necessarily know whether all the results are back unless you can identify them.
3. Please do not expect the receptionist to have any medical knowledge. They are instructed only to tell you if your test is indicated as normal. If any test is abnormal, requires further discussion or needs further interpretation then we can refer the matter to your Doctor.

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 and these are mostly performed at the local hospital.

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.