Test Results

Test and investigation results are normally passed on and explained to you by the doctor or nurse at your next appointment. If you speak to a receptionist, you can be told if the results have been returned by the hospital or laboratory, and the doctor's comments about the test result can be passed on to you.

The receptionists are not able to explain the meaning of results, however, and can normally only pass on information about a test result to the person the test relates to, and not a third party.

After a test result has been received, you may be asked to see the doctor or nurse, and you can make an appointment at Reception

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

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

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.