Get Tests and Results

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.

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are taken at Queen Alexandra Hospital. To arrange this, telephone Portsmouth Hospitals on 023 9228 6000 and ask for Paediatrics Phlebotomy.

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

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.

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.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.

X-Rays are performed at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Queen Alexandra Hospital and CareUK’s St Mary’s Treatment Centre, Portsmouth and Diagnostic Centre, Havant.

If your doctor thinks an X-Ray will be helpful, he or she will complete a form to arrange this. If you think you might be pregnant, you should not have an X-Ray. Please advise your doctor if this is the case.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan is a test that uses high frequency sound waves to create images of organs and structures inside the body. Doppler ultrasound is a special sort of ultrasound used to look at flow in arteries and veins.

Ultrasound is safe in pregnancy.

If your doctor thinks that an ultrasound will be a helpful test in your case, they will send a request to Gosport War Memorial Hospital or Queen Alexandra Hospital, or CareUK if you prefer, who will contact you with an appointment.

When will I get my result?

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 your surgery after midday, once sufficient time has elapsed. On average results will be available after the following periods:

 X-ray report 2 weeks
 blood tests  1 week (some tests take longer)
 urine tests  1 week
 fungal nail tests  3 weeks
 ultrasound report  2 weeks

It is your responsibility to contact the surgery to check the results of your test. The doctor who has reviewed the results will leave a message for staff explaining if anything further is required (eg repeat test or an appointment to discuss the result further). Once reviewed, you will be able to view the result on NHS App or Patient Access.

The Admin and Receptionist Teams are not qualified to give more detailed advice on your results.

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.