Test Results

 

How and when to obtain test results from the surgery

Getting your test results

The doctor or nurse will tell you how long they expect the test results will take to reach the surgery when the test is performed. Please bear this in mind and call your usual surgery after 11am and before 4pm once sufficient time has elapsed.

Patients will only be contacted by the Practice if a clinician needs to discuss the results with them. Patients are not automatically contacted for any results deemed in the normal ranges. If any symptoms persist however, please do contact us again.

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

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 they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.

Please also be aware that you can view your results through the NHS app once they have been received at the Practice. If you wish to sign up for these online facilities ask the receptionist for details of how to register and receive your registration details

NHS Cervical Screening programme: Digital results launched

Updated September 2025.

A reminder that from this month, the NHS is sending normal results from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, digitally utilising the NHS App. Normal results are those where the patient is put back into recall within the programme and doesn’t require referral to colposcopy.

This change follows the successful rollout of digital invitations and reminders in June 2025, where since the launch, nine out of every 10 invitations are being sent digitally, with the remainder being sent by post. 

Those who have a normal test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message. It will appear as an NHS App notification, and if someone doesn’t have notifications switched on for the NHS App, they may also receive an SMS message to remind them to check the NHS App.

If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours of delivery or if the patient doesn’t have the NHS App, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.

Abnormal result letters (those that involve referral to colposcopy) will continue for the time being to be delivered by post. However, we are aware that some patients may see their cervical screening test result (either normal or abnormal) via the NHS App under GP Health Records or they may receive a colposcopy appointment via the NHS App before they receive their formal communications. This is because the NHS App is linked to the results being sent from the screening laboratory to the GP practice. If the patient has signed up to access their medical records, all test results would be accessible to the patient.

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