You can contact us online for test results.

Approximate number of working days for tests ordered at surgery:

• Blood Tests – 5 working days unless otherwise advised
• X-Ray – 2 weeks
• Urine Test – 5 working days
• Biopsy – 8 weeks
• Smear Test – 8 weeks
• Stool Test – 2 weeks

Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.

Should you require a printed copy of any results we need 2 working days notice – there will be a small administrative charge (50p per sheet).

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 to whom they relate (or the parents of young children), unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.

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

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm. The usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Please note that mild bruising can occur at the site from which the sample is taken – this is quite normal. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child’s hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

Blood Tests for Those Over 14 Years of Age

Important: Please see notice at the top of this page RE services at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

If your child is aged 14 and over and has special needs that make an appointment for phlebotomy services preferable to the use of the walk in service, please telephone Kempton Ward to discuss and make an appointment.

The Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust Pathology Department offers a ‘walk in’ phlebotomy/blood test collection service at Bracknell Healthspace . This is a ‘walk in’ service, so you do not need to make an appointment.

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust operates an appointment only clinic for blood tests in the Phlebotomy department of West Berkshire Community Hospital in Thatcham. For appointments please call 01635 273343.

Royal Berkshire Hospital (Reading) Appointments can be booked via Swiftqueue Monday – Friday 07:30-16:15 (except bank holidays).

Royal Berkshire Bracknell Clinic – Appointments can be booked via Swiftqueue Monday – Friday 08:00-16:00 (except bank holidays).

Phlebotomy Outpatients opening times, hospital outpatients (including Warfarin patient blood tests) Monday to Friday 07:30am – 17:00. Last patient accepted at 16:45.

Anticoagulation Clinic: Please refer to the Anticoagulation leaflet.
More information about Pathology services.

Please note, if your child is aged 14 and over and has special needs and requires an appointment for phlebotomy services rather than attending the walk-in service, please call the Kempton ward on 0118 322 7383 to discuss and make an appointment.

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 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.