Your doctor or nurse may request that you have investigations.
The Doctors review the results of all investigations carried out by the practice and will make recommendations. Our receptionists are not medically trained and will only be able to tell you the doctors’ comments rather than the actual report. We would ask that you contact us after a suitable length of time (see Test Times) to find out about the outcome of the test.
We expect that you contact us for all your test results. We will not contact you for any results unless they are very abnormal, or you need urgent treatment or urgent further tests.
We feel that the patient has responsibility for contacting us after investigations.
Please phone for results after 11am when the phone lines are less busy, and the receptionist will pass on the doctor’s instructions to you.
Test Times
Below is an approximate guide to how long results will take to come through.
| Type of Test | Usual Time for Results |
|---|---|
| Blood tests | 1 week |
| X-rays | 2 weeks |
| Ultrasound scans | 2 weeks |
| Heart scans | 3 weeks |
| Electrocardiogram (ECG Heart Traces) | 1 week |
| Urine samples for infection | 5 days |
| Swabs for infections | 1 week |
| Nail clippings for infection | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Urine samples for pregnancy | 5 days |
Blood Tests
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
- 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. 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 often be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.
Booking Your Blood Test Online
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 in the lungs.
If you have an 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.
Confidentiality
Results for patients over 16 years of age can only be given to the patient. Results for children will be given to the person with parental responsibility.
As per our practice policy, the staff WILL NOT disclosed any details of the test but will advise you of any action that needs to be taken.
Results can be given to someone other than the patient if previously arranged with doctor.
Laboratory Specimens
Specimens such as urine and stool samples that are collected at home should be handed in as early in the day as possible. This is because the samples are picked from the surgery for delivery to the hospital at around 12 O’ Clock, and it may not be appropriate to store some of them overnight. Please ensure your name and date of birth are on the container.