Some test results are back within a day or two but the majority of results for tests that are performed in the surgery are usually available in the Practice a week after the test, although some specialised tests do take longer.

The doctor or nurse will advise you on the length of time your specific test will approximately take and suggest when you should contact the surgery to see if the results are back. Sometimes results can take longer than anticipated so please remember it isn't the receptionists fault, should she advise you that the results are not yet back.

Average times for test results to be returned:

• Blood tests 4-10 days depending on the test
• Swabs 10 to 14 days
• Urine tests 7 to 10 days
• X-rays 14 days

It would be helpful to us and also to you (to avoid busy telephone periods) if you could telephone for your results after 11:30, when the surgery telephones are usually a little quieter.

If the doctor wishes to see you to offer you further treatment, you will be contacted and asked to make an appointment or to collect a prescription.

A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The childs hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have an X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

You can find out more about x-ray tests, how they are performed, their function and the risks by visiting the NHS Choices website.