The surgery offers a range of blood tests including hepatitis. Blood tests are taken each morning by the practice nurse and are sent to the laboratory at Pilgrim Hospital by 1 pm Monday to Friday. Therefore, we can only offer appointments up to 12:30pm for blood tests.

What is a blood test?

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

How are blood tests normally conducted?

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 website.

We will contact you by telephone, or by letter, only if a blood result is abnormal and you require treatment or further investigations. You will not be contacted if your result is normal. If you wish to enquire about the results of your blood tests please call us in the afternoon. The administrative staff will give results to you or you may be asked to speak to the nurse or doctor. Adults' results will not be given to anyone other than the patient, except in exceptional circumstances.

Results are normally available after 2 - 3 days for blood results.