Understanding Your Test Results
Once your test results have been reviewed by a clinician, they will usually be available to view through the NHS App. What happens next will depend on how the result has been reviewed.
Normal results
If your results are normal and no further action is required, we will not routinely contact you.
We encourage you to review your results through the NHS App. There is no need to contact the Practice regarding normal results unless you have a particular concern or have been advised otherwise.
Non-urgent results
If your results have been reviewed as non-urgent, we will not routinely contact you.
We encourage you to review your results online through the NHS App.
If you would like to discuss a non-urgent result, you can either:
- discuss it with the doctor at your next routine interaction or appointment, or
- call the Practice to book a telephone appointment with a doctor if you would prefer to discuss it sooner.
Please be reassured that if the reviewing doctor felt the result required more urgent action, it would not have been classified as non-urgent.
Abnormal results
If your result is abnormal and the doctor would like to discuss it with you, we will send you a message asking you to book a telephone appointment with a doctor.
Telephone appointments are booked as either AM or PM, rather than at a specific time. Please make sure you are available to answer your telephone during the relevant period.
An abnormal result does not necessarily mean that something serious has been found. The appointment allows the doctor to explain the result and discuss any further tests, treatment or follow-up that may be required.
Urgent results
If a doctor receives and reviews a result that requires urgent action, they will pick up the telephone and contact you directly rather than asking you to arrange a routine appointment.
It is therefore important that we have your correct and up-to-date telephone number.
If we are unable to reach you, we will take appropriate steps depending on the clinical urgency of the result.
Tests requested by hospitals or other healthcare providers
If a test was requested by a hospital, consultant or another healthcare provider, they are responsible for reviewing the result and advising you of any necessary follow-up.
Please contact the service that requested the test if you are waiting for these results. The Practice may not receive the full result and cannot routinely chase hospital results on your behalf.
Viewing your results online
We encourage patients to use the NHS App, where you can access your health record and view many of your test results.
Please remember that results can sometimes appear in the NHS App before they have been reviewed by a clinician. Individual figures shown outside the laboratory’s normal range do not always mean there is a medical problem. Please allow time for the result to be reviewed before contacting the Practice.
