Your test results

Test results are provided to whoever arranged them, so if your GP requested an x-ray or blood test then the result will come back to the surgery, but if the request came from a hospital consultant then the results will be sent to them even if the blood sample was taken here in the practice.

When you have a blood test, most patients are tested for several things even if only one or two samples are sent to the lab.  Blood and other samples are collected by an NHS courier each day and taken to the hospital laboratory for analysis, but the results are rarely returned in one go.

Some tests take longer than others to complete and whilst the first results may appear on your medical record within 24 - 48 hours, the full results your GP needs may take up to four weeks.

Each of the results is reviewed as it comes in, and so you may see the results on your NHS App or receive messages confirming that one or more are in the normal ranges over a few days.  Once all the results have arrived, if we need to arrange follow up tests, or if your GP needs to speak to you about them, we will contact you - this could be up to four weeks after the tests were sent off. 

If your test results are normal, we will not usually contact you again, but you are able to see them online:

• in your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• in your online services account

If the original symptoms persist, change or worsen, please contact us again to arrange a further appointment.

Cervical smear tests

Women who have had a cervical smear test will receive a letter with their result direct from the NHS, and not the Practice, usually within two weeks.