Test results are available over the telephone only after 11.30am Monday to Friday during the surgery's core hours. Due to the number of results we receive and to verify they have arrived at the practice and have been seen by the GP, we ask that patient call the surgery for their results. You must allow at least 5 working days for the result to be returned to us. Some test results may take longer to be returned and the clinician should advise you accordingly. If your test was carried out at a hospital at the request of a consultant or specialist you should contact the hospital you attended for the result of your test if you have not been informed in appropriate time. This is because we do not receive these results directly, so please do not call the surgery.

Very often test results are within normal ranges and in these instances our fully trained receptionists are able to inform you of your result. They are also able to inform you if the doctor has made a comment for action and what that action may be; such as a prescription for medication. Otherwise the doctor may have commented that they would like to discuss the result with you and our receptionist will arrange a suitable appointment for this. All our staff are required to adhere to strict confidentiality at all times. Please respect the receptionist's role and understand that they are in a position to assist you.

• Horsham Hospital offer a walk-in service, which is open Monday to Friday 08.00 - 15.45.
• Crawley Hospital offer a walk-in service, which is open Monday to Friday 08.00 - 16.45.
• East Surrey Hospital offer a walk-in service, which is open Monday to Friday 08.00 - 17.45

Paediatric Blood Tests

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

There are also 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

About 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 and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The childs hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

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

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.