If you wish to telephone for results please do so in person and after 2pm.

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 or they are not capable of understanding the results.

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

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.

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 causes for symptoms that may resulting for low or high levels of substances in your bloods
• 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. You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

When one of our receptionist give you a blood result they will be reading out which comment the doctor has made. This may be a standard response such as normal or satisfactory (normal for you). They will add a comment if they would like a specific action or follow up. If this is stated as 'discuss routinely' the GP will be aware of his/her wait from a routine appointment and feel this is acceptible on clinical grounds. Be reassured by this if you are anxious about the result. If the doctor felt action was required due to the result they will call you all arrange a more urgent discussion. 

If you have had an investigation arranged by a hospital consultant or in a specialist clinic it is the responsibilty of that hospital to provide you with the result of that test. 

• Your GP will not recieve that test result directly unless it is included in a letter to you, the patient
• The GP will get that letter at the same time that you do as they are posted at the same time 
• Specialist tests often require clinical interpretation. This may include discussion at a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT), which may occur only once a week.
• If you are concerned about a test result or delay in getting the result please contact the secretary of the consultant or speciality who ordered it at the hospital
• If you have a letter, please use the telephone number provided on the letter.  If you do not have a letter, please telephone Musgrove Park hospital switchboard on: 01823 333444.