Getting your test results
If your test results show that you need more tests or treatment, we will contact you.
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can:
- view them in your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- or call us between 11am and 2pm to enquire about your results, as our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request between these times
Questions about your results
Test results (i.e. x-ray, pathology etc) are typically returned to us within one week. You can get your test results from the reception, either in person or via telephone. Please note that we will only contact you if a result is abnormal and you require treatment or further investigations. You will then be given an appointment to see a GP. You will not be contacted if your result is normal.
If you want to talk to someone about your results, please call our reception on 020 7275 0077 and the receptionist will arrange an appointment with an appropriate clinician.
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 doctor/nurse 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.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS.uk 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 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.uk website.