Most blood tests are usually requested by doctors after a consultation or at chronic disease clinics with the nurse. A test request may also come from a hospital clinic or consultant to be done in the surgery.

Occasionally a blood sample may be taken at a home visit.

Some blood tests required for young children may have to be done at the paediatric department in the hospital for which an appointment will have to be made.

Blood samples are usually taken by the health care assistant or nurse for which a separate appointment can be made. However in emergencies, a doctor may take a blood sample during a consultation.

Occasionally you may be asked for a fasting blood sample. These are usually carried out during the early appointments with the nurse or health care assistant in the morning. Prior to a fasting sample, you should not eat anything or drink any liquids continuing calories for 10 hours prior to the test.This includes tea or coffee as this can alter the test results. You are allowed to drink water.

Test Results

Results of your tests done in the surgery or special investigations ordered by your GP done at other locations are all reviewed by the clinical staff and if any results need actioning, you will be contacted by phone or letter to discuss the results.

Normal test results are not usually communicated to you, however. if you would like to know the result of your test. you can contact the reception staff who can try and get the result for you.

Routine blood test results will usually be available within a few days however more specialised investigations results such as x rays could take up to 2 weeks to obtain. Certain tests may have to be sent off to specialized laboratories in Preston or Manchester and results of these tests may be delayed for a few weeks.