Test Results

Please note we receive a great deal of pathology and diagnostic and other test results on a daily basis, it is therefore not possible to contact every patient with regards to their test results.

Should we feel it is necessary for one of our clinicians to see you to discuss your results, we will contact you either by phone or letter with an appointment.

If you have not heard from us, you should feel confident that your results show no concern, of course should you wish to see a clinician to discuss your results please book an appointment (however it does not need to be an onday acute appointment)

If you wish to find out about your results please call between 10am and 12:00pm Monday to Friday to enquire about your test results as our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request between these times.

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.

In general upon reviewing your results should one of our clinicians feel that we should see you we will contact you with an appointment. Due to the volume of tests if we have not contacted you the results are within range and considered normal, if you however would like to call the practice please do so between the specified times.

Please note the receptionists are not clinicians and can not give you detailed information, should you require more information then please book an appointment with one of our Doctors or Nurse Practitioners

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.

Should you require a copy of your notes or any part of your notes, please note the following protocol :

If a you request a copy or access to your notes (part or full), you should request this in writing (reception will give you a form) arrange a suitable time with the admin staff for this to be organised.

Any requests may take up to 7 days.

There will be a charge for this in line with the BMA guidance

http://bma.org.uk/practical-support-at-work/pay-fees-allowances/fees/fee-finder/fee-finder-medical-records

You will note that the practice is entitled to charge for hard copies of information on the patients notes. The notes we hold for a patient are in part manual and in part on the computer.