Blood Tests
Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and an appointment can be booked at either of our surgery sites.
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
- check if you have an infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
- screen for certain genetic conditions
Preparing for a blood test
The healthcare professional who arranges your blood test will tell you whether there are any specific instructions you need to follow before your test.
For example, depending on the type of blood test, you may be asked to:
It's important to follow the instructions you're given, as it may affect the result of the test and mean it needs to be delayed or carried out again.
What happens during a blood test?
A blood test usually involves taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm.
The arm is a convenient part of the body to use because it can be easily uncovered. The usual place for a sample to be taken from is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface.
Blood samples from children are often taken from the back of the hand. Their skin may be numbed with a special spray or cream before the sample is taken.
If you would like to know more information about blood tests please visit the NHS website.
Test Results
When the Clinician orders a test, they will tell you when and how to get the result. Please note you may be requested to make an appointment to discuss your results.
If the doctor/nurse has advised you to ring for your results, please ring the surgery between 9am and 11.30am or 1.30pm and 6.30pm Tuesday to Friday.
We will usually contact you by phone or letter if a result is abnormal and may ask you to make a follow up appointment.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.
If you have Online access to your record, your test results are available to view online. Please see the Online Services page for more information.
Generally, only test results will be available if the test was requested by the surgery.