Test Results

Pathology and X-ray results are available by telephone 680169 between 2.30pm and 5.00pm, results will not be available by telephone at any other time. Alternatively you can send a stamped addressed envelope to the surgery with a request for the result to be posted to you.

To protect patient confidentially, results will only be given by telephone to the patient in person, or their parent/guardian in the case of a child.

(If a patient wishes a 3rd party to have access to their results - we would need this in writing from the patient.)

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.

We do not take blood from Children under the age of 16 at Handbridge Medical Centre, they would need to be seen at the Children's Phlebotomy service based at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Blood results usally take 5-7 working days to return from the lab.

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.

Water/Faecal samples should be brought to the surgery when requested only, and must be brought to the surgery before 11.45am, as they need to be processed and labelled for our lab collection and 12.00pm.

If you are a female with a suspected urinary tract infection, you can be treated by the pharmacy first service, so long as you are/have not:

• Under 18
• Over 65
• Pregnant or breastfeeding 
• Feverish or are feeling unwell
• Confused or dehydrated
• Received treatment in the previous 3 months

If you are male with a suspected urinary tract infection, or are female and any of the above apply, please contact our reception team, we will also likely request you provide a sample.