Results of Investigations and Tests

When you are asked to leave any samples at the Medical Centre, would you please make sure that the sample is labelled with your name and the date, plus any other relevant details. It should then be left with one of the nurses and NOT with the reception staff.

You may telephone for results between 14.00 and 15.30 on (01628) 626131.

When you attend the surgery or X-Ray department for tests please ask how long it will be before the results are back at the surgery. You will then know when to contact us for the results. Most X-Rays take at least 4 to 5 days for the results to come back, whereas blood tests can be from 2 to 10 days depending on which ones are requested by the doctor.

There are occasions when it is not possible to give results over the telephone, and you may be asked to make an appointment to see your doctor for an explanation of the results. You must remember that results are not allowed to be given to a third party in the interests of patient confidentiality. Please do not ask the reception staff for results as in the interests of confidentiality they are not allowed to give them out.

 

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 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.