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

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

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.

Test Results

Samples can be left at the surgery each weekday before 11.00am. They are collected for delivery to the hospital at 11.30am. Please bring samples in a suitable container or request one from reception beforehand. Please ensure that the container is labelled with your name and date of birth.

Most test results are received electronically from the hospital each day and are viewed by the doctors before the result can be passed onto the patient. If telephoning for results please attempt to ring between 2.00pm and 4.00pm

In order to maintain confidentiality, test results will only be given to patients themselves or to parents if the patient is a minor

Different tests can take different lengths of time before the result is available To protect patient confidentiality we only give results to you personally