Tests and Results

 

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If you have had any tests done, please allow us five working days before checking for the results. X-rays and scans take longer - please allow 10-14 working days, unless you are otherwise instructed. The surgery will contact you sooner if the result requires it. 

You can now view your medical record and test results online. Please sign up to the NHS app. Alternatively, you can pop into the surgery with photo ID (passport or driving licence) and we will grant you complete access. For any other queries regarding tests and results, please contact us.

image of doctor giving test results

 

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

If the doctor or nurse has asked you to provide a pathology sample e.g. urine, stool, sputum, these must be left at reception before 11.00am, Monday - Friday.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an antibody test?
An antibody test can tell you whether you have had the virus that causes Covid-19 in the past, by analysing a blood sample.

Antibody tests are being used to help us understand how many people in the population have already had the virus.

If I test positive for antibodies, can I ignore lockdown restrictions?
No. There is no evidence yet to suggest that people who have had the virus are immune. We also don’t know whether having antibodies means you can’t transmit the virus to others. This is the position of the World Health Organisation. Covid-19 is a new disease, and our understanding of the body’s immune response to it is limited.

You should continue to follow social distancing advice and government guidelines regardless of the results of the test.

How will I be informed of the result?
Your GP will be informed of the result and you can find out the result in the same way you would usually get a test result from your practice. Many people have access to their medical record online and you may be able to see your result using the practice online system.

How will my information be used?
The results from the testing programme will provide information on the spread of COVID-19 across the country and in different regions.

The results will be anonymised when being used for this purpose, meaning that it will not be possible to identify you or that your result applies to you.

Are there any risks to having the test?
There are some risks related to having a blood test, such as feeling dizzy and faint during and after the test. Risks can also include bruising at the venepuncture site. Serious complications such as an infection at the site where blood was taken and phlebitis (swelling of the vein) are possible but generally extremely unlikely. 

 

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.