Test results (including blood and urine) can take up to 7 working days to come back from the laboratory (and longer for some tests).  X-ray results can take up to 3 weeks to be processed.

Once we receive the results into the medical system, they are reviewed by a GP (usually the one who asked for the test so they are aware of the issues surrounding the request).  Once reviewed the result is saved to your record and the GP will advise reception on any action that may need to be taken (e.g. make an appointment to see the GP, telephone the GP or have the test re-taken, etc).

Unless the GP who requests your test, or the Healthcare Assistant\Nurse tells you otherwise, please wait at least the amount of time listed above before you ring the surgery (please also call in the afternoon).

Our Reception staff are only able to give you a result if the GP has filed and commented on; if this has not been done then they will not be able to provide you with any information and you will be advised to ring back.

Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.

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.

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.