On having a test or investigation at the surgery all patients are given written information on when to contact the surgery to ask about their test results.
You can now request your test results online by clicking HERE
When enquiring about test results, please ring from 13:00pm to enable us to keep our telephone lines free for urgent calls in the morning.
Blood Tests and Results- What do they mean?
When viewing your test results it’s important not to panic! If you need further treatment or if the clinician wants to discuss the results with you quickly or urgently, they will contact you (usually by text or telephone) and indicate how soon the discussion needs to be. Sometimes discussions can happen over the telephone and do not always need a face to face consultation.
Laboratory tests are tools helpful in evaluating the health status of an individual. It is important to realise that laboratory results may be outside of the so-called ‘normal range’ for many reasons.
These variations may be due to such things as race, dietary preference, age, sex, menstrual cycle, degree of physical activity, problems with collection and/or handling of the specimen, non-prescription (over the counter) medicines (aspirin, cold medications, vitamins, etc.), prescription medication, alcohol intake and a number of non-illness-related factors.
Any unusual or abnormal results should be discussed with the clinician who ordered the test. It is not possible to diagnose or treat any disease or problem with a blood test alone. It can, however, help you to learn more about your body and detect potential problems in early stages when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. Almost all laboratories set the normal result range.
You may notice occasional results fall outside of the normal average range for that test. Sometimes a result that is outside of the normal average range is normal for you. Your clinician will leave a comment about your results and any actions that may be required which you will be able to see. If the clinician is concerned about any result they will contact you by text or telephone or send you a letter.
What the Clinician’s comments mean:
Normal – This means that the clinician has looked at the result and deemed it to be within the normal range for the test and so no further investigation or treatment is needed.
Normal for this patient – This means that the clinician 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 out of range results that are ‘normal’ for them.
Satisfactory – If symptoms still present contact the surgery – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the clinician in the circumstances. But please contact the surgery if symptoms persist.
Review as necessary – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the clinician in the circumstances.
Satisfactory – no action – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but acceptable to the clinician in the circumstances.
Patient to telephone clinician to discuss – This is similar to the above but the clinician would like to speak to you to explain the result(s) by telephone as detailed explanations and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
Patient to make appointment with clinician to discuss – This is similar to the above but the clinician wishes to explain the result(s) face to face as detailed explanations and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
On correct treatment – continue – Self-explanatory
You may be asked to ring back in a few days for the doctor to give their reply, as they may not be in surgery on that day.
Cervical Smear Results
The results should be sent direct to the patient via the National Recall System, and should be received within two weeks of the test.
If you have not received the results within four weeks, please contact the surgery after 13:00pm to check whether we have received a copy.
You will be asked for some personal details when calling, this is to confirm your identity. The receptionist has the right to refuse the release of medical information if he/she feels that it does not pertain to the person calling. We hope that our patients find our high standards of confidentiality satisfactory with regard to releasing this type of information.
If the test was arranged by your hospital consultant
If your test has been carried out at a Clinic or Hospital please call the Clinic or Hospital for the result, as we cannot action tests which have been requested by other Clinicians out with the practice. If the consultant’s secretary or colleague inform you they will send the results to your GP, explain that you want the results from the specialist who arranged them who is in by far the best place to give appropriate advice.
Our Reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the Doctor.
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.
Information about your laboratory tests
For information on what your laboratory test results mean please visit Lab Tests Online.
Specimens
All specimens must be provided in a suitable container and marked clearly with name, date of birth, date provided and reason for the specimen.
Failure to do so may mean that the test will need to be repeated – Please note that when bringing in a sample to the surgery, only samples in the correct container can be accepted. These are available from reception.