Getting your test results
If your test results show that you need more tests or treatment, we will contact you.
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can view them:
- in your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- by using our online service
- phone or visit us and we will tell you what the results are
NHS Login
Important
When your test is taken you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.
We will contact you by telephone, or by letter only if a result is abnormal and you require treatment or further investigations. You will not be contacted if your result is normal.
The administrative staff will inform you of your result or you may be asked to speak to the nurse or doctor.
If you are advised to do so it is your responsibility to make an appointment to discuss the results with the nurse or 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
Blood tests are carried out in the practice and usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. 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. For some children, it may be more appropriate for the doctor to arrange the test within a hospital based clinic.
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.
X-rays are not carried out in the Practice.
You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.