Getting test results

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)
in your SystmOnline account
phone us between 11:00 & 12:00 (via main surgery number Option 2)

The results line is answered by non-clinical staff who can interpret the results of most tests that have been requested by a doctor or nurse at the surgery. Sometimes you may be referred to a doctor or nurse for a more detailed explanation.

We may not be able to give you information about tests or investigations that have been requested by a hospital doctor.

Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. This means 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.

Questions about your results

If you want to talk to someone about your results, fill out our test results request form and someone will be in touch.

Samples

Samples are usually taken in the morning as they can be transported to the laboratory on the same day. The samples are collected from the surgery at 2pm daily.

Urine samples are not always required for simple bladder infections. However, if you are asked to leave a urine sample, you must also complete a form, available at Reception, to help us to decide what tests to run. If you leave a sample without a form, it will not be processed and your treatment may be delayed.

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. Anyone under 16 who needs a blood test must book in with a qualified nurse.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

X-Rays

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