Test Results
If possible, please telephone after 2pm for results and after 12pm on a Thursday. This is to help free the telephone lines for patients ringing to book an appointment in the morning.
Test Times
Below is an approximate guide to how long results will take to come through.
| Type of Test | Usual Time for Results |
|---|---|
| Blood tests | 1 week |
| X-rays | 2 weeks |
| Ultrasound scans | 2 weeks |
| Heart scans | 3 weeks |
| Electrocardiograms (ECGs) (heart traces) | 1 week |
| Urine samples for infection | 5 days |
| Swabs for infections | 1 week |
| Nail clippings for infection | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Urine samples for pregnancy | 5 days |
Blood Tests
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
- 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. 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 often be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.
Walk in Blood taking facilities are available at the following locations
Bradwell Hospital on the A34 near Talke (ST5 7NL)
Monday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm
Late Night Monday 8am to 6.45pm
No appointment is needed. You will need to take your printed request form with you when you attend for a test.
Cobridge Community Health Centre near Cobridge Traffic Lights (ST6 2JN)
Monday to Friday 8am to 4.45pm
Late Night Wednesday 8am to 6.45pm
No appointment is needed. You will need to take your printed request form with you when you attend for a test.
Biddulph Primary Care Centre – Ground Floor
Wednesdays 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm
Please telephone 01782 674242 to make an appointment. Please note that this service is by appointment only and is NOT a Walk-in service.
For children under 14 years old please telephone 01782 675183 to make an appointment with the children’s clinic at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
X-Rays
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 in the lungs.
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.
Confidentiality
Results for patients aged over 16 years can only be given to the patient. Results for children will be given to the person with parental responsibility.
As per our practice policy, the staff WILL NOT disclosed any details of the test but will advise you of any action that needs to be taken.
Results can be given to someone other than the patient if previously arranged with Doctor.
Laboratory Specimens
Specimens such as urine and stool samples that are collected at home should be handed in as early in the day as possible. This is because the samples are picked from the surgery for delivery to the hospital at around 12 noon, and it may not be appropriate to store some of them overnight.
Please ensure your name and date of birth are on the container.