Results Of Tests And Investigations
If you have recently had blood tests, swabs or urine test at the surgery please call us between 3 and 7 working days later (after 14:00). Occasionally tests are sent to distant specialist centres and may take up to a month; the doctor or nurse should warn you in that case to enquire later.
A receptionist will be able to tell you if the result has been marked by the doctor as normal, satisfactory, abnormal or “abnormal but expected”- they will also tell you what next step the GP has asked for if any. You may need to collect a leaflet/letter, or to make a telephone appointment or a face to face appointment or to repeat the test.
If a result needs URGENT follow up the GP or nurse will try to contact you directly. If it is not urgent they will leave the next step clear for you to hear when you call to get the result.
For all tests that are not done at the surgery but by another NHS provider please contact the service where you had the test done.
If a consultant has requested a specific blood test, CT, MRI scan, X-ray, the results will always go back to the requesting physician. In this case you need to call and speak to your consultant’s secretary. If you do not have your consultant’s secretary’s details then you can reach them by calling the main switch board numbers for the appropriate hospital.
- East Surrey Hospital 01737 768511
- Crawley Hospital 01293 600300
- Horsham Hospital 01403 227000
Getting your test results
If your test results show that you need more tests or treatment, we will contact you.
Once a doctor has reviewed your test results, you can view them:
- in your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
- in your SystmOnline account
- phone or visit us after 14:00 and we will tell you what the results are
NHS Login
Blood Tests
If you are over 16, you can have your blood test done at the surgery.
Alternatively, you can attend the walk-in blood test clinic at Crawley Hospital. (8am to 4:45pm Monday – Friday)
Children’s Blood Tests
These need to be booked at the hospital.
Please ensure you obtain a prescription for some cream to apply prior to your arrival at the hospital.
About 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 childs 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-Rays
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 an 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.