Test results are usually available 5 days after a test is taken.

A doctor views them and interprets them in the context of your health. They will mark the result as normal or otherwise, indicating if a follow up action is needed. Please read any comments linked to your result which can help interpret their meaning.

If there is an abnormality requiring prompt action, you will be contacted directly.

Results  are available for patients to view online, via the NHS app SystmOnline .
Regusterjng for online access is particularly easy via the NHS app.  Please download the NHS app and follow the instructions to create an account and verify your identity or come to the reception team with your photo ID to register for a username and password.

Being able to view your medical record online enables you to request prescriptions online, view results and may help you to manage your medical conditions. It also means that you can access your records from anywhere in the world should you require medical treatment while on holiday.

Test results will be available to view once they have been returned to the practice and checked by the doctor.

Should you not be able to use  online access, please call the surgery for results after 11am. 

You may see a comment on the result(s) from the doctor:

• Normal. Take no action - This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed it to be within the normal range for the test.
• Normal, but unexpected. communicate with patient - The doctor wishes to explain the result and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
• Satisfactory. Take no action - This means that the doctor has looked at the results and deemed it to be very close to the normal range for the test and the result is not concerning. some patients have consistently abnormal results that are 'normal' to them.
• Borderline. Take no action - This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed it to be just outside of the normal range and the result is not concerning.
• Borderline. Communicate with patient - The doctor wishes to explain the result and/or further treatment or investigation may be necessary. 
• Abnormal, but expected. Take no action - This means that the doctor has looked at the result and no further investigation or treatment is needed. This may be for the following reasons:
  • The result is in keeping with your known medical condition(s)
  • The result has already been discussed with you
  • You are already on the correct treatment
• Abnormal. Communicate with patient The doctor wishes to explain the result and/or further treatment or investigation(s) may be necessary.
• Specimen lost/unusable. Repeat test/or Communicate with patient - Unfortunately very occasionally samples are lost. Sometimes there is a delay in samples reaching the laboratory which can affect the quality of the specimen making it unusable. Occasionally an incorrect test is requested in which case a repeat may not be needed. On the other occasions an incorrect bottle or label may have been used. 
• Positive. Communicate with patient - Infection confirmed, the doctor will contact to discuss further treatment or investigation(s).
• Negative. Take no action - Self-explanatory. No further treatment or investigation is needed. 

Or you may receive a specific comment from the doctor:

• Abnormal, Raised lipids. Qrisk does not recommend treatment - Qrisk2 is a risk assessment tool which uses a range of information including your age, gender, weight, blood pressure, ethnicity and cholesterol level to give a score which enables us to identify people who would benefit from cholesterol lowering treatment, to reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke or heart attack. If your cholesterol is high, but your Qrisk2 score is below the threshold for treatment,  no treatment would be recommended, but lifestyle changes, can reduce the level. More information can be found at: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyhearts/Pages/Cholesterol.aspx

If you require any further clarification or have any questions, or if your symptoms are still ongoing please arrange a consultation with your doctor. 

Your medical record is designed to be used by clinical professionals to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Some of the information within your medical record may be highly technical, written by specialists and not easily understood. If you require further clarification, please contact the surgery via telephone or online consultation.

You may also find this website helpful, it explains all the various NHS medical tests: http://labtestsonline.org.uk/

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.