When you have a blood test arranged by our practice, the results are sent directly to us from the laboratory once they are ready. These are then reviewed by a GP or another qualified clinician.
How results are managed
- Review by a clinician: Every result is checked by a GP or another member of our clinical team. They will add a comment or action if needed.
- Use of GP Automate:
We use a system called GP Automate to help review lab results quickly and consistently. It works through each result using a clinically designed decision tree, ensuring that nothing is missed and that your care is managed in a clear, standardised way.
- When a result has been reviewed by this system, it will show as being filed by “GP Auto” in your record.
- All results processed through GP Automate are handled under the supervision of the practice clinical team.
This approach helps our GPs focus their time on delivering the best possible patient care.
- Normal results: If your results are within the normal range and no action is required, these will usually be filed in your record without us contacting you directly. The comment will say "normal - no action, satisfactory, or result within normal range for patient"
- Results requiring action: If a result needs follow-up or further discussion, the practice will contact you – usually by text or phone call.
- Timeframe: Most routine blood test results are available within 5–7 days, though some may take longer depending on the type of test.
Viewing your results on the NHS App
You can view your test results through the NHS App or NHS website once they have been reviewed and filed by a GP.
- Results will usually appear with any notes or comments made by the reviewing clinician.
- You’ll be able to see your blood test names, dates, and numerical values (if available from the lab).
- Please note that results only appear after they have been reviewed — they are not visible in real time.
- Sometimes, older results may not be visible online if they were filed before online records were enabled.
A note of caution:
Some results may appear before you have had a chance to discuss them with a clinician. Occasionally, results can sound worrying even when they are not serious.
If you think a result might cause you concern or if you are unsure how to interpret it, you may wish to wait until normal surgery hours to view it. This means that if you do have any questions or worries, the practice will be open and able to help.
Please remember that urgent or significantly abnormal results are always reviewed promptly and acted upon by our clinical team.
If you have questions about your results
- If your results are marked as normal or satisfactory, no action is required unless you are still experiencing symptoms.
- If you would like to discuss your results in more detail, you can request this via our triage service.
- Reception staff are not clinically trained and will not be able to interpret your results.
Important note
Please do not contact the practice for results unless you have been advised to do so or it has been more than two weeks since your test.
Urgent or concerning results are always acted upon as a priority.