Test Results

Please call between 10:00am and 1:00pm or 2:00pm and 6:00pm to enquire about your test results as our reception staff will have more time to deal with your request between these times.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.

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.

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

Fasting Blood Test

This means you are not to have any food or drink (except water) for 15 hours before the blood tests.

Please drink about a pint of water before you come for your appointment

Take your tablets as normal except those that you need to take with food.

Glucose Tolerance Blood tests

Your glucose blood test is slightly raised and you will need a further test.

In order to do this effectively you will need to:

• Starve for 15 hours prior to the test
• You can drink water only
• The blood test will be taken in the surgery
• You will be given a “sweet” orange liquid to drink.  This drink is called Polycal.  If you are NOT exempt from prescription charges (£7.65) this item can be purchased from Severnbank Dispensary for £2.74.  It can also be purchased from any pharmacy over the counter.
• You can then go home, but you will need to carry on fasting
• You will also need to rest during this time as activity can have an effect on the blood glucose level
• Return to the surgery 2 hours later for a 2^nd blood test

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices 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 a 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.