When you attend for a test of any kind you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results; please bear this in mind and only call the surgery after sufficient time has elapsed.
Our Receptionist will be in touch to book an appointment to discuss any abnormal results assessed by a Doctor/Nurse. N.B. Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect 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
Samples (Specimens)
For infection control purposes please do not bring in any sample unless you have been requested to do so by GP, Nurse or Admin staff
Urine samples:
There are two sample bottles accepted by the laboratories depending upon what testing we need them to do. When the GP, Nurse or Admin staff speak to you they will advise which bottle you need to provide. Unfortunately if the sample is in the wrong bottle, the labs have been rejecting so please do not use a bottle you have at home unless the top of the bottle matches the colour we ask for. We have a large supply of empty bottles in Reception so please collect the correct pot from us if this helps.
When bringing your urine sample into Surgery please can we ask that:-
O You drop the sample to us before 10.30am – Monday – Friday as this is the time our collections go to the lab.
O You clearly write the patients name and date of birth on the sample bottleyou complete fully the blank white form that may been given to you with the empty sample pot.
O All specimens for processing at the hospital laboratory are collected daily (excluding weekends) from the Surgery.
O All samples must be brought to the surgery in sterile containers and sealed in the bags provided by the practice.
Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.
It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so.
Enquiries about tests ordered by the hospital should be directed to the hospital and not the practice.
Results
If you have been sent for an investigation you will be contacted by phone, unless otherwise arranged with the doctor/nurse.
BLOOD RESULTS – please contact the surgery after 1.30pm.
X-RAY RESULTS – please contact the surgery after 1.30pm, 5 working days after examination.
SMEAR RESULTS – are sent via post, they usually take 4-6 weeks. If you do not received the result after this time please contact the surgery.
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.
