When you attend for a test of any kind you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results. Please bear this in mind and call the Surgery, once sufficient time has elapsed.
We will contact you by telephone, email, sms, or by letter, if a result is abnormal and you require treatment or further investigations. You will also receive an email if your result is normal. If you wish to enquire about the results of your tests please telephone the surgery after 2.00pm. The administrative staff will give results to you or you may be asked to speak to the nurse or doctor. Adults’ results will not be given to anyone other than the patient, except in exceptional circumstances. If you have signed up for online access (NHS App or Patient Access etc.), you may be able to view your results using the portal once they have been viewed by a GP.
You will be asked for some personal details when calling, this is to confirm your identity. The receptionist has the right to refuse the release of medical information if he/she feels that it does not pertain to the person calling. We hope that our patients find our high standards of confidentiality satisfactory with regard to releasing this type of information.
If the test was arranged by your hospital consultant
If your test has been carried out at a Clinic or Hospital please call the Clinic or Hospital for the result, as we cannot action tests which have been requested by other Clinicians outwith the practice. If the consultant’s secretary or colleague inform you they will send the results to your GP, explain that you want the results from the specialist who arranged them who is in by far the best place to give appropriate advice.
Our Reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the Doctor.
Please note that 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.
Information about your laboratory tests
For information on what your laboratory test results mean please visit Lab Tests Online.
Specimens
Pathology Samples
If the doctor or nurse has asked you to provide a pathology sample e.g. urine, stool, sputum, these must be left at reception before 11.00am, Monday – Friday.
All specimens must be provided in a suitable container and marked clearly with name, date of birth, date provided and reason for the specimen.
Failure to do so may mean that the test will need to be repeated – Please note that when bringing in a sample to the surgery, only samples in the correct container can be accepted. These are available from reception.