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Tests & Results

To obtain results of any tests undertaken at the surgery please phone 01229 820304 between 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

If your results are available the receptionist will inform you of what the doctor has indicated and the action the doctor or nurse would like you to take.

Some tests take longer to come back than others and you may need to call more than once.

Please note, the receptionist is unable to discuss any other aspect of your test results. To protect your confidentiality your results will not normally be given to anyone phoning on your behalf unless you have given your consent for them to do so, or when the results are for a child/baby or in other special circumstances.

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. 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.