When you attend for a test of any kind you will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results. Please bear this in mind and call the Surgery, once sufficient time has elapsed.
Please telephone the surgery for your results between the hours of 9am and 12noon, Monday to Friday, 10 days after sample has been taken. A receptionist will be able to inform you if your result is normal, or whether you need to discuss the result with your doctor. It is always best to discuss results with your usual doctor, or the doctor who ordered the test. Results of cervical smears will be sent to patients by post, however, if contacting the surgery please allow 10-12 weeks.
You will be asked for some personal details when calling, this is to confirm your identity. The receptionist has the right to refuse the release of medical information if he/she feels that it does not pertain to the person calling. We hope that our patients find our high standards of confidentiality satisfactory with regard to releasing this type of information.
If the test was arranged by your hospital consultant
If your test has been carried out at a Clinic or Hospital please call the Clinic or Hospital for the result, as we cannot action tests which have been requested by other Clinicians outwith the practice. If the consultant’s secretary or colleague inform you they will send the results to your GP, explain that you want the results from the specialist who arranged them who is in by far the best place to give appropriate advice.
Our Reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the Doctor.
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.
Information about your laboratory tests
For information on what your laboratory test results mean please visit Lab Tests Online.
Specimens
All specimens must be provided in a suitable container and marked clearly with name, date of birth, date provided and reason for the specimen.
Failure to do so may mean that the test will need to be repeated – Please note that when bringing in a sample to the surgery, only samples in the correct container can be accepted. These are available from reception.