Test Results

Please help us by ensuring any specimens you are requested to provide are given in the correct container and are fully labelled with the Date and Time the specimen was taken. Failure to do so will mean the laboratory cannot process your specimen.

Specimens must be brought in before 10:30am

getting your test results image

The clinical staff personally check all results and in many cases these can be given to you by one of our administrative staff. When the results do require discussion you will be advised to make an appointment. Depending on what tests you have had, the results may take different amounts of time to come back to us.

Since our telephones are very busy in the early morning, we ask you to telephone for test results (e.g. blood, urine, x-ray) after 11am.

Please ensure that your test results have been received before coming in for a follow-up appointment.

You will be advised of the usual length of time before we can expect results.

Please understand that we are bound to maintain patient confidentiality and therefore we only release results to the patient, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing or if the patient is a child under 16 years of age.

Blood Tests

The Practice will not contact you if your blood test results are normal, however, please contact the practice 7 days after having your blood test if you would like to confirm your results.

Blood tests are not undertaken at the surgery as we have an excellent service at Horsham hospital. The bloods are collected from the hospital and are delivered to Surrey and Sussex Healthcare (SASH) NHS Trust Laboratory. To reduce unnecessary trips to the practice to collect a paper request form and to help prevent lost request slips we are increasingly sending these out electronically (via text, email or through the online service; SystmOnline) However, a paper request form is required for a blood test, therefore electronic copies need to be printed before attending to have a blood test. SASH phlebotomy services are available at East Surrey Hospital, Crawley Hospital, and Horsham Hospital.

East Surrey Hospital: Monday - Friday 8am to 5:45pm
Crawley Hospital: Monday - Friday 8am to 4:45pm
Horsham Hospital: Monday - Friday 8am to 3:45pm

The phlebotomy service at each hospital is a walk-in service for adults, so no appointment is necessary.  Please be aware that at busy times there may be a delay.

Children's blood testing - paediatric phlebotomy

This is not undertaken at Horsham hospital and needs to be done elsewhere. This is because children need more time and a more suitable environment for blood testing. Taking blood from children is more challenging and therefore is only undertaken if clinically necessary. Reducing distress is achieved by staff who are experienced and trained in this. We will offer anaesthetic cream to younger patients but please ask if this is needed for older children.

The Children's Assessment Unit (CAU) at East Surrey Hospital offers blood tests for children.  This service is strictly by appointment only.  There is usually a week's wait for phlebotomy appointments at CAU.

Appointments are available for all children from birth to 16 years of age, with a service open until 6pm for school children.  There is also a child play specialist available to assist when required.

To book an appointment ring 01737 768 511 x2878

Crawley Hospital

There are a limited amount of appointments at Crawley Hospital for children 2-10 years old.  There can be a wait of up to a week for phlebotomy appointments. The team will give advice on where to get anaesthetic cream and how to apply it if required.

To book an appointment ring 01293 600 300 x3082.

X-Rays

Horsham Hospital is where most x-rays are undertaken and is the default location. Please advise staff if another location is preferred. Other locations are East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and Crawley Hospital. X-ray is offered on an appointment system. Only chest radiography is available as a walk-in service.

Once a request is made the patient will need to contact Horsham Hospital to make an X-ray appointment by calling 01403 227 036.

A paper request form is not required as the clinician requesting the x-ray sends this request over to the hospital electronically so that the x-ray department have all the details they need to conduct the investigation.

X-rays are often reviewed very quickly by a radiologist (specialist X-ray doctor). We advise that if you are not contacted by the reception team or the clinician requesting the X-ray to contact the surgery after 7 days to be told of the result and if any necessary action.

Other Imaging

CT and MRI scans are not available directly from the medical practice as these need to be requested directly by specialists. If the clinician believes that such as investigation is required for the patient this means that the patient needs to be seen by a specialist. If a CT or MRI scan is needed, communication of the scan results is from the specialist. The clinician requesting the scan has responsibility of ensuring that this is communicated to the patient and that this fits in with their treatment of management plan as necessary. Please contact the specialist’s secretary if the results are not received as expected. The time that results are expected and the method of communicating these results should be explained prior to the test. If a clinic letter following the specialist’s consultation has been sent out the information and how to contact the department is usually in the letter.

Ultrasound scans take place in Park Surgery in Horsham, Horsham Hospital, East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and Crawley Hospital. Park Surgery and Horsham Hospital are where most ultrasound scans are undertaken and are the default locations. However, only certain scans can be taken in certain locations and therefore a referral may be needed to either East Surrey Hospital or Crawley Hospital.

Results

We advise that if you do not have a follow up appointment with the requesting clinician or contacted by the reception team about the result of the scan that you contact the surgery in 1-2 weeks after the scan has been taken. The result will be communicated to you and any necessary action.