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Tests and Results
How and when to obtain test results from the surgery
Getting your test results
Laboratory test findings will usually be available one week from when the sample is taken.
If the result is available, you will be given the comment written by the doctor and if necessary you may be asked to make an appointment to see your GP. The reception team are not qualified to discuss test results. Bethesda Medical Centre does not routinely contact patients to let them know of test results because of the volume involved.
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.
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can view them:
- Text (SMS) Message - SMS notification will only state whether they are normal or abnormal, and whether you need to see a GP for a follow-up.
- To ensure you get the best service from this new feature, please check your contact details are correct and up to date.
- Telephone us on 01843 209 300 after 11am.
Questions about your results
Get in touch with the surgery if you want to talk to someone about your 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 childs hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.
X-Rays
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.