Recently had some tests organised through the practice?

You do not need to worry

All blood test results and investigations received by us are reviewed by a member of staff within 1-2 days of them arriving in the practice, and any significant, urgent results are passed to the emergency doctor (usually the same day)

All other results not requiring immediate action are reviewed by the GP who ordered them within a few days.

In all cases the doctor then makes a decision on how important it is for you to be reviewed and how soon this needs to happen.

Doctors will communicate this directly to you, or via the reception staff who will arrange a review by phone or face to face as instructed by the GP.

Most results will return as normal or satisfactory and no action will be required. The surgery will not contact you about normal or satisfactory results.

You had some tests through the surgery, and now need to find out the results

The reception staff can give basic information such as your tests results are ‘normal’ or ‘satisfactory’.

Your result may also be reported as ‘borderline’ meaning the result is just outside the normal values, but has been deemed to be acceptable by the doctor.

Other results may require feedback from a clinician.

If you need to ring for your results it is recommended you avoid the busiest times in the morning.

If you need to discuss your results you need to discuss this with the doctor who ordered the tests and understands the nature of your problem. They will be able to interpret the results taking your personal situation into account.

But I am worried something serious is wrong and this could be missed if I wait to see the original doctor, as they can’t see me for 4 weeks?

The process outlined above prevents this from happening. The results are reviewed and if we need to see you more urgently we will tell you. It is far better for your ongoing care to wait and see the original doctor who requested the tests as they have already started the process of investigation and have formulated a plan of care in their mind and with you.

I feel more unwell and/or my symptoms have changed since my tests were done

If this is the case you should call us and explain to the receptionist that your condition is different or worse and they can arrange for the situation to be reassessed. In many cases it will still be better for the doctor who saw you initially to review you. However our trained staff will advise you on the best course of action. This may involve a call back from the emergency clinician.

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