Test Results

When can I book a blood test?

You can book a blood test only if one of these applies:

• Your clinician asked for one
  • They will add the blood test to your computer record so you can book it.
• The hospital asked for one
  • They will send you blood test stickers.
  • Please bring the stickers with you to your appointment.
• You need regular blood tests
  • This may be because of a medical condition or medicine you take.
  • We will tell you if this is needed.
• You are having an NHS Health Check
  • Blood tests are part of this check.

You cannot book a blood test unless it is for one of these reasons. This helps our Health Care Assistants know which tests to take.

• Most blood test results come back in 2–3 working days.
• Some tests take longer, such as:
  • Stool tests
  • Urine tests
  • Nail tests
  • Rare blood tests sent to another laboratory

• Results go to the clinician who asked for the test.
• If the hospital asked for the test, the results go to the hospital doctor, not your GP.
  • Please contact the hospital for these results.

• If your clinician is away, another GP will check the results.
• Once checked, results will appear on the NHS App.
• You can also phone for results.
  • We suggest calling 1–2 weeks after the test, in the afternoon.
• ·Please check for your results after 2 weeks – this is an important safety check to be sure results are not ‘lost in the system’

• You are not usually contacted if results are normal.
• Urgent results are dealt with in 1–2 working days.
• Non-urgent results are usually dealt with in 1–2 weeks.
• We may contact you by phone, text, or email.

• The GP sends the request to the hospital.
• You can go to:
  • Horton Hospital – Main X-ray Department Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

• The hospital will contact you with an appointment.
• Urgent scans are usually within 2 weeks.
• Routine scans can take 3 months or longer. (Waiting times are set by the hospital.)

• Results usually take up to 2 weeks, but can take longer.
• Sometimes results can take up to 6 weeks.
• If the hospital asked for the scan, results go to your hospital consultant, not your GP. Please contact the hospital for these results.
• We deal with scan results the same way as blood test results.

• ·Some results take time to review.
• You may see results on the NHS App before we contact you.
• Some results look outside the normal range but are normal for you.
• ·In these cases, the clinician will write:
  • “Normal for patient” or
  • “No action needed”
• If you cannot see this note, please contact us. The call centre can check and let you know.

• Please send an electronic triage request so we can reply.
• Please try not to book an appointment just to discuss normal results, if possible.