Test Results

Please 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.

Getting results is the responsibility of the patient, we do not contact you with results. Urine and blood tests usually take at least seven working days to come back from the laboratory. The person ordering the test should tell you whether you need a further appointment after or whether you should phone reception.

The doctor needs to read and interpret each result first. The admin department will be able to tell you if any further action is required but is not qualified to discuss the result with you. Should this be necessary, please make an appointment to come in and see your doctor. Alternatively you might book an appointment for the doctor to ring you.

Xray results take up to 2 weeks to be processed. However, any very serious abnormality is communicated to the practice within 2 days.

Results arrive in the Practice after lunch  and the opening hours of our Results Line are listed opposite. Please be aware these time may vary due to staff availability.

	Times
Monday	12:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	12:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	12:00 - 17:00
Thursday	12:00 - 17:00
Friday	12:00 - 17:00
Weekend	closed

The Results Line Number is 0151 327 9700

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.

Getting a Blood Test

Book an appointment with the phlebotomist who is at the Surgery every morning Monday to Friday. Please bring your blood request form if you have one. Appointments for blood tests may be booked up to 4 weeks ahead.

If your blood test is a fasting blood test then we usually ask if you will fast from all food and drink except water from after your evening meal until the blood test the following morning. Please drink plenty of water though - this is to make sure the tests of kidney function are accurate and don't show dehydration!

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.

Getting a urine test

Bring a urine specimen in before 11:00 on the day it is done. Please make sure specimens are labelled with the date and your name and DOB.

The doctor or nurse will have told you if the sample is for dip testing at the practice. This is usually done as a screen for sugar or infection. Please tell the receptionist this information.

If you were told that the sample is to go to the hospital laboratory then there are several rules to follow. The sample must be mid stream, passed the same morning it is brought in, into a sterile bottle obtained from reception. Please label it with your name, date of birth and the days date. Please note that the laboratory do not do routine pregnancy testing. Fast reliable tests can be purchased at the chemist.