Tests and Results

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Helpful advice on how to get your test results

The most effective way to obtain results of tests is to view your results online by logging into your patient record via either an online NHS account or the NHS app. Most results are back within 7 days after the test was taken but some tests may take 2 weeks.

If you do not have online access and would like support in downloading and accessing your NHS account, please contact Natasha, our practice Digital Care Co-ordinator on 07376 366549, who would be happy to arrange to visit you at home or meet you in the practice to help with this.

Alternatively, if you do not have online access you can ring the practice between 3:00pm and 6:00pm for results, however our Patient Services Team will not be able to answer any clinical questions. Please be aware the telephone lines can often be very busy.

When you view your results, your GP will put a comment next to your results to aid interpretation.

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

Any X-rays requested and ultrasound results can also be viewed online and these usually do take 2 weeks to view. Please note that when an x-ray is taken, you may be told your GP will have the result later the same day. This is often not the case, as a radiologist needs to type up a report and this often can cause a delay.

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 website.