If you are trying to enquire about test results e.g. blood tests, x-rays, smears etc. please call 0345 337 3356 between 2.00 pm and 4 pm.  This minimises telephone line congestion earlier in the morning. To maintain patient confidentiality, results will only be given to the actual patient themselves, not relatives or spouses.  However, parents will be informed of any results for children under 14 years old in most cases.

Please be aware of the following estimate time scales:

Routine Blood Tests - these should be available in 2-3 working days; however some can take as long as 1-2 weeks

X-Rays / Scans - in general these may be available in approximately 3 weeks but this can vary

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.

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.