According to a GP, it is ‘always worth’ doing one thing after being sent for a blood test or scan
A GP has urged people to check their blood test and scan results rather than assuming that no news is good news. Dr Shireen, a GP and Medical Educator, often shares informational videos for followers on her popular social media platforms.
In a recent post on her Instagram account @doctorshireen, the health expert explained why not following up with your GP surgery could be a mistake. Dr Shireen said: “If you have a blood test or a scan done at your GP surgery and you don’t hear from your GP with the results, should you assume that that is normal and no news is good news?”
She continued: “The short answer is no.” The GP explained: “Usually, if we notice an abnormal blood test or an abnormal scan, we will mark that as abnormal and ask reception to book in either a routine or an urgent appointment.
“If there’s something very significant, almost like an emergency kind of result on the blood test, then we will just call you straight away as soon as we see it, with no appointment booked. However, we book hundreds of blood tests and scans a week.
“It’s impossible for us to get those results and action them all straight away because otherwise we will have no time to see patients and do all of the other admin that we have to do.”
She continued: “So if you haven’t heard from your GP, it could be that the result is actually still in an inbox and hasn’t yet been seen. So don’t assume that it’s normal and go on holiday or whatever without checking.”
Dr Shireen explained that you might have several options for checking your results. For instance, you may be able to check your results using the NHS app, by emailing your GP surgery, or sending an e-consult to request the results.
It’s possible you might also be able to call the GP surgery and ask the receptionist. “Some GP practices allow receptionists to give out normal results,” the GP said, though she acknowledged some don’t. In this case, you’ll need a telephone appointment to discuss the results with your GP, even if everything is normal.
Dr Shireen advised people to follow up with their GP surgery after every test. She said: “The bottom line is, if you’ve had a test and you haven’t heard back, don’t just assume that the test was normal. It’s always, always worth checking.”
As the NHS website explains, you must be aged 16 or over and registered with a GP surgery to view your test results online. You can view your GP health record using the NHS app or by logging into your account on the NHS website.
