Tests and Results

Note that the Practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection, and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data.

When you take your test, you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.

Blood Test Results

Often take three to four days, although some do take longer. Be assured that if your results are unexpected, a member of the clinical team will contact you directly.

Changes to How Your Test Results Are Reviewed

We are introducing a new way of managing some test results using our clinical system (SystmOne).

This includes the use of “auto-review” rules. These are carefully designed and clinically approved rules that allow certain normal results to be automatically marked as reviewed.

Why are we doing this?
This helps our clinical team prioritise patients who need urgent or more complex care, while still ensuring all results are handled safely.

What should you expect?

• Normal results may not always be individually reviewed by a GP or nurse.
• You may not be contacted if your result is normal.
• Any abnormal or unclear results will always be reviewed by a clinician.
• We will contact you if any action is needed.

What should you do?

• If you were advised to follow up, please continue to do so.
• If your symptoms persist, worsen, or you are concerned, please contact us.
• You can request your test results if you would like to see them.

Your safety remains our priority, and these systems are in place to support timely and effective care.

X-Rays and Scans

Can take at least a week. Again, we will contact you directly if these results need further discussion.

Samples

Must be brought in before 12:00pm.

Urine samples must be in a sterile bottle from the surgery and must also be correctly labelled with name and date of birth.

Please allow plenty of time for results to be returned, viewed and assessed by the GPs, before ringing for these.

It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if you are advised to do so.

Please note that the Triage Doctor is not available to discuss non-urgent test results.

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, where the veins are relatively close to the surface.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS website.

Children's Blood Tests

For children up to the age of 16, blood tests are administered at the Day Assessment Unit (DAU) at Salisbury District Hospital. 

Be sure to take your blood form and any information given by your GP to the unit.

Please click the button below for all details about children blood tests at Salisbury District Hospital.

FIND OUT MORE

Fasting Blood Tests

If you require a fasting blood test, please tell the receptionists who will try and find an appointment as early in the morning as possible.  For a fasting blood test, please do not eat or drink for 12 hours prior to the test, although water is permitted.

Other Tests

You may be sent to the hospital for other tests.

Further information on other medical tests can be found by visiting the NHS website.

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 website.