This page explains how to check your test results, how long different tests usually take, and what to do if you are waiting, have concerns, or receive an abnormal result.
Tests & Results
Getting your test results
Urgent advice: Important: If your symptoms are getting worse
Do not wait for test results if your symptoms are getting worse or you are worried about a new or urgent problem. Contact the practice in the usual way. If the practice is closed, phone NHS 24 on 111. In a medical emergency, call 999.
Non-urgent advice: Getting your test results
You are responsible for checking your test results once the usual timescale has passed.
Although the practice will contact you if a result requires follow-up or action, you should not assume that no news means your result is normal or that nothing further is needed.
Please allow enough time for your result to arrive before contacting us. Different tests take different lengths of time to come back, depending on the type of test, the laboratory, and whether specialist reporting is required.
Non-urgent advice: How to check your results
Call 01968 675 576 and press option 2.
Please phone between 10:00am and 5:00pm for general enquiries and test results.
Please only contact us for results after the usual timescale has passed, unless a clinician has advised you otherwise.
Reception staff can only give results once they have been checked and marked by a clinician. They cannot interpret results or provide medical advice.
If you receive a result outside of our opening hours and have urgent concerns, contact NHS 24 on 111.
Non-urgent advice: How long results usually take
These timescales run from the date the test was taken or the sample was received by the laboratory — not from the date you requested the test.
| Type of test | Usual timescale |
|---|---|
| Blood tests | Around 5–7 working days |
| Urine tests and swabs | Around 5–7 working days |
| Stool samples | Around 7–10 working days |
| X-rays and scans | Often 10 working days or longer |
| Specialist tests | May take several weeks |
| Cervical screening / smear results | Results are posted and may take several weeks |
These timescales are a guide only. Some results may come back sooner; others may take longer.
Non-urgent advice: Cervical screening & hospital tests
Cervical screening results
Cervical screening results are not usually issued directly by the practice. You will normally receive your result by letter from the health board. These results can take several weeks.
If your test was arranged by a hospital or another service
If your test was requested by a hospital clinic, consultant, community service, or another healthcare professional outside the practice, please contact that service directly for your result.
The practice may not receive these results, and we may not be able to interpret, chase or action tests that were requested by another clinician or service.
Bringing in a specimen or sample
Please only bring a urine, stool or other specimen to the practice if this has been requested by a clinician or arranged with the practice team.
Samples must be provided in the correct specimen container. These are available from reception. We cannot accept samples in unsuitable containers.
Before handing in a sample, please make sure the container is clearly labelled with:
- your full name;
- date of birth;
- the date the sample was taken;
- the reason for the sample, if known.
If a sample is not correctly labelled, is in the wrong container, or has not been requested by the practice, we may be unable to accept it and the test may need to be repeated.
Page last reviewed: 03 June 2026
Page created: 20 November 2023
Page created: 20 November 2023