The results of most blood tests and specimens take between 5 and 7 days to arrive back at the surgery. Reports on X-rays take about 2 weeks. MRI and CT scans take about 4 weeks and cervical smears about 6 weeks. Normal or satisfactory results may be given out by our Health coordinators, but if they are abnormal a telephone appointment to discuss will be offered and if life threatening the doctor will phone there and then.
Your GP may not be available to view the results immediately, so we ask that you leave it a week before enquiring about your results. Please contact us to check that your result has been received.
Please note: we 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.
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. 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.
We ask that you call in for your results after a week.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS 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 identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.
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.
You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS website.