In order to comply with the rules of confidentiality, results of tests may only be given over the telephone to the individual for whom the test has been requested. If you wish to have a relative or representative obtain the results on your behalf, it is important for you to give written consent at the time the test is taken.
We do not routinely ring patients to inform them of test results as patients are often out at work, and would request that you personally contact the surgery within a few working days of having the tests taken.
We will endeavour to contact you directly if your results are urgent.
If you need to ring the surgery to check blood/smear/x-ray results, please ring 01253 823215 after 11:00am any morning.
Please arrange to deliver any specimens to the surgery before 3:00pm (Monday to Friday) in order that they may be transported to the hospital. Please remember to ring for the result of your test.
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 Choices website.
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.