Test Results

You are welcome to call the surgery to enquire about your test results but please remember the telephones are always busy in the mornings.
Please call in the afternoons after 3pm when the phones tend to be less busy.
You will be told how long you should expect to wait for the results at the time of your test so please bear this in mind before calling- this is usually between 5-10 days.
It is the patients responsibility to contact the practice for their result and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.
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.

Test Results

To avoid any embarrassment or loss of confidentiality, please telephone for test results yourself. Do not ask a member of your family or a friend, as we may not feel able to tell them. We now have a computer link to Dudley Group of hospitals which we hope will provide a faster and more efficient service for test results.

May we remind patients that it is their responsibility to ring the surgery (after 11:00) for the results of any hospital tests such as blood tests and cervical smears etc.

Although certain results are sent electronically to us, please allow at least 7 working days for X-ray results and 48 hours for blood test results to be received by the practice.

Please remember it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.

X-Ray

doctor examining an 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.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

Your employer can ask you to confirm that you've been ill.You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification.

If you're sick and off work for more than seven days, your employer will probably ask for proof of your illness. Most employers ask for a fit note from your GP.

However, this will also depend on your employer's company policy on sick leave (or sickness absence). This policy should tell you how many days you can be off sick before you need to provide proof of illness or a fit note.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

INHOUSE PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES (VULNERABLE PATIENTS)

The surgery has recently started offering in-house phlebotomy services with our Health Care Assistant for our vulnerable patients.

Please speak to our Reception Staff on 0208 491 3303 for more information.