Results Of Tests And Investigations
If your clinician requires you to have a test such as a blood test or X-ray you will be issued with the relevant form in order to get this done. Some tests are carried out in the surgery and others require attendance at another healthcare provider like the local hospital for example.
When the results of any tests or investigations are received back in to the surgery, they will be reviewed by a doctor or nurse.
It is the responsibility of the patient to contact the surgery to obtain test results. The surgery will only contact the patient in cases of urgent abnormalities. Test results can be given over the telephone between 2pm and 5pm.
If everything is ok and no further action is required, the receptionist can tell you this over the telephone. Should the doctor or nurse want to discuss any results with you or make any follow up plans such as a review appointment, they will give this instruction to the receptionist who will action it upon you calling for the result.
Please be advised that unless we have a specific documented agreement in place, we will not release test results to anyone other than the patient themselves.
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 childs 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
Phlebotomy Clinics are held at the surgery every Wednesday morning (appointment required - contact reception).
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 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 Choices website.