It may take up to two weeks for most blood tests results and X-ray results to come back.
If you wish to find out your results, please phone reception between 11:00am and 1:00pm
Getting your test results
- We will contact you by telephone, sms, or by letter, only if a result is abnormal and you require treatment or further investigations. You will not be contacted if your result is normal.
- 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.
- View your results via the GP online system Patient Access
Our Reception staff are not qualified to comment on results therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the Doctor.
To book a blood test appointment
To book an appointment at an external clinic or site, you can register online and book appointments from 14th December 2023. This will save you waiting time particularly during busy periods. For patients unable to book online, telephone booking is available Tuesday to Friday, between 9am and 1pm on 01727 897376.
Phlebotomy / Blood Tests
Adults
You can have a blood test at any of the following local hospital sites – Hemel Hempstead Hospital, St Albans City Hospital or Watford General Hospital.
You will need to book an appointment for your blood test through an online booking system, Swiftqueue
Please see here for further information and to book.
The practice also provides a few clinics and a limited number of phlebotomy appointments for adults when required and requested by the GPs working for the Elms Surgery.
As the practice has limited resources / services available for phlebotomy service, we are only able to accept the blood tests requested / authorised by the Clinicians working for the Elms Surgery.
Patients requiring regular blood testing for warfarin monitoring, are advised to contact Warfarin Clinic at Watford General Hospital by calling the hospital switchboard 01923 244366. The WGH Warfarin clinic may be able to arrange a home visit for the patients who are not able to attend the hospital.
Children
Like most GP surgeries in Watford, babies and children up to the age of 17 are requested to book at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, St Albans City Hospital or Watford General Hospital.
Please use link to book https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/hertfordshire.php?group=HertF_Child and select the site you require.
Children under five years-old can only be seen at the Peace Children’s Centre in Watford. They can also see children up to the age of 12.
Please use link to book https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/hertfordshire.php?group=HertF_Child and select Peace Children’s Centre in Watford.
We will not be able to book an appointment for blood tests on request of your hospital consultants.
Questions about your results
If you want to talk to someone about your results, contact our team to discuss.
Confidentiality
The NHS has strict policies relating to confidentiality and data protection and we can only release test results to the adult to whom they relate unless that person had given prior permission for the release of their data and information or are not capable of understanding the results.
Non-urgent advice: If the test was arranged by your hospital consultant
If your test has been carried out at a Clinic or Hospital please call the Clinic or Hospital for the result, as we cannot action tests which have been requested by other Clinicians outside the practice.
Laboratory tests
For information on what your laboratory test results mean please visit Lab Tests Online.
Please note, this website does not give you access to your actual results, but will provide an explanation of what the varying tests are and what the results mean.
Specimens
All specimens must be provided in a suitable container and marked clearly with name, date of birth, date provided and reason for the specimen. Failure to do so may mean that the test will need to be repeated.
Sample containers are available from reception.
Tests Performed Outside of the NHS Including Abroad
These results will not appear on any NHS systems, therefore are not accessible to NHS clinicians (unless the referral was made by your NHS care provider). If you have had tests outside of the NHS it is your responsibility to provide us with copies or originals of all the test results in order that we do not duplicate tests. If you are unable to do so you may be referred to an appropriate UK setting for the same test. This is to ensure we comply with best practice care standards. If you do not wish to have a repeat test you will be asked to give informed dissent.