Your GP may request a blood test or X-ray as part of your care. Here is what you need to know about how these investigations work and where they are carried out.
Blood Tests
A blood test involves taking a small sample of blood — usually from a vein in your arm — for analysis in a laboratory. Blood tests are one of the most common types of medical investigation and have a very wide range of uses, including to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- check how well organs such as the liver and kidneys are functioning
- monitor the effects of medication
- screen for conditions such as diabetes, anaemia or high cholesterol
What to expect
Blood is usually taken from the inside of the elbow or wrist, where veins are close to the surface. The sample is taken by a phlebotomist (a trained specialist in taking blood samples) and the procedure takes only a few minutes. In children, samples are most commonly taken from the back of the hand, which may be numbed with a local anaesthetic cream beforehand.
How to book a blood test
Blood tests must be requested by your GP or another clinician. Once you have a request form, you can book an appointment at your nearest NHS phlebotomy clinic. The most convenient for Brunswick Surgery patients is usually Surbiton Health Centre, which has an on-site phlebotomy service. You can also use Kingston Hospital.
Getting your results
Results are usually available within a few days. Your GP will contact you if the result requires action. You can also view many results through the NHS App or by contacting the surgery. See our test results page for more information.
More about blood tests on NHS.uk →X-Rays
An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test that uses radiation to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are particularly effective at detecting problems with bones, such as fractures, but can also identify problems with soft tissue, including pneumonia and some tumours.
What to expect
During 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 examined is positioned between the X-ray tube and the imaging plate. The procedure is quick and painless. X-rays are carried out by a radiographer — a healthcare professional who specialises in imaging technology.
Where to have an X-ray
Xrays are carried out in the Health Centre.
X-rays involve exposure to a small amount of radiation. The dose used for most diagnostic X-rays is very low and the benefits of the test significantly outweigh the risks. Please tell the radiographer if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant before having an X-ray.