Test Results Information

Obtaining your blood test results

You can obtain your practice test results in a number of ways:

• Online: This is the quickest and simplest way of viewing your results. You will be able to view your results as soon as they come into the practice and have been commented on. If you are already registered, you can log in above.
• By telephoning reception: You can speak to reception about your results. It is best to call after 3 pm when our reception staff are more likely to have more time to deal with your request.
• In person with the clinician who ordered your tests: You may have agreed with the clinician who ordered your tests that you would review the results together.
• The surgery ringing you directly: If the test results are significantly abnormal, we will contact you.

Responsibility for checking results

It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if you are advised to do so. We explain below “What the doctor’s comments mean for your blood tests and results”.

Timescales for availability of test results

Results need to be processed by the hospital and commented on by the practice. Timescales for this is 2 days for blood test results (some take longer), and 3-5 days for X ray results. So, we recommend you do not contact the surgery unless these timescales have been exceeded or a clinician has requested you do this at an earlier time.

Smear Results

Smear test results take 6-8 weeks on average and are posted out to patients.

Doctor’s comments

Normal, No Action – This means that the doctor 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.

Minor Variation, Not Significant – This means that the doctor 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.

Abnormal, Continue on Current Medication – This means that the result may be within or outside the normal range but there is no reason to change current treatment according to test result(s).

Stable, To Monitor – This means that the doctor has looked at the result and deemed them stable and the result is not concerning so will just monitor result(s) and patient.

Abnormal, Make GP Appointment for Review – Not Urgent – This means the doctor would like to speak to you to explain the result(s) but it is not urgent.

Abnormal, Make GP Appointment Soon – This is similar to the above but the doctor wishes to explain the result(s) as soon as possible. The practice will also try to contact you.

Abnormal, Make Nurse Appointment for Review – Not Urgent – This is similar to the above but the doctor wishes for the nurse to explain the result(s) as it may just be for your chronic disease monitoring.

MSU – On correct treatment – This means infection has been confirmed but you are already on the correct treatment.

MSU, Prescription Issued to Collect – Infection confirmed, need to collect medication from your usual place of choice.

Abnormal, Please Repeat Test – This is because the test is inconclusive therefore a second test is necessary to compare.