Tests and Results

Results

Laboratory specimens are collected daily at 11:45 and we ask therefore that you bring specimens to the surgery before 11:30am. Routine samples are taken by the nurse in the morning. Routine test results and X-rays may take up to 14 days.

Cervical smear results take up to 12 weeks and you will be informed of these by letter.

You can view your test results online - just register for Patient Access or the NHS app and view your results within a week from when you had your blood taken (although some results do take longer).  Ask at Reception to sign up for this service.

If you wish to phone the surgery to get your test results, please call after 3pm.

When viewing your results, you will see that a Doctor has marked it with certain comments. 

Below is a list of those comments, and what they mean for you.

Test results

Appointment already booked

This means the doctor is aware you already have an appointment booked to review the result.
Awaiting review by requesting GP

Your result is not filed yet, waiting to be reviewed by the requesting GP.
Collect script/Medication This means your result(s) show that you need to have some medication. Collect a prescription from either the surgery or your usual pharmacy.
Diabetic follow up with Doctor as scheduled

Used for diabetic patients, to tell the patient who they should be seeing for their follow up review.
Repeat Diabetic bloods in 3 months For diabetic patients, this means that the doctor would like you to repeat your blood test in 3 months. Please book an appointment with the HCA.
Repeat Diabetic urine sample in 4-6 weeks For diabetic patients, the doctor has asked for you to repeat your urine sample in 4-6 weeks time. Please collect a sample bottle from Reception, and hand in when completed.
Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia - TCI Routine This means that the result indicates that you have pre-diabetes. TCI = To Come In, please make a routine appointment with your doctor to discuss this further. 
FOB patient DNA for screening/Nonresponder Patient was sent a bowel cancer screening kit but did not return it.
Acceptable/Expected Result This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed it to be very close to the normal range for the test and the result is not concerning. Some patients have consistently abnormal results that are “normal” for them.
Health Check blood test This is just to say that these bloods were taken during your Health Check appointment.
INR Result - Hospital Controlled This is for patients on Warfarin. It means that the patient is contacted by the Hospital to determine their correct dose
Normal Result This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed it to be within the normal range for the test.
Noted and dealt with The result has been appropriately actioned already.
Repeat Test

This means that the doctor would like you to repeat the test as they have deemed it slightly out of the acceptable range.
Repeat test: specimen unlabelled/Lab rejected the sample

This means that the laboratory has rejected the sample, therefore you will need to repeat the test.
Repeat as per DMARD protocol

This means that you repeat your blood tests as per the timescale advised by the specialist, for example Rheumatologist, Gastroenterologist.
Review as planned with Doctor This means that the doctor has already discussed a plan of action with you prior to having your tests.
Routine Review booked - no action This means the doctor is aware that you already have a routine review appointment booked and so no further action needs to be taken.
SMS text sent This means your doctor has sent you a text message about your blood test result.
TCI Routine This means the doctor wishes to see to you in order to explain the result or to review your condition even if the results are normal.
TCI Urgent This means the doctor wishes to see you more urgently than the above, and would look to get you seen within the next few days.
Tell patient Normal This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed it to be within the normal range for the test.
Tests requested by Hospital Results of the test requested by your hospital doctor/consultant. You may want to discuss the results with the consultant at your follow-up appointment.
Test results letter This means that the doctor has written to you, explaining about your test result/s.
Treated Appropriately This means the doctor has already discussed and/or already prescribed medication.
 

Blood test

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 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 website.

X-ray

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