If you wish to enquire by telephone for a test or X-ray result, please do so between 09:30 and 12:00, Monday to Friday.

In order to maintain confidentiality, results can only be given to the patient, or to the parents of minors. Please allow at least one week for a test result unless told otherwise; X-ray results will take longer.

Results will only be given to other people if we have the documented expressed permission of the patient to do so.

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.

If you have a blood request form from your GP surgery or consultant then there's no need to go to the hospital anymore, we will be happy to do them at Totton Health Centre.

Blood test appointments are now generally available in the surgery each day, Monday to Friday and some Saturdays.

Call the practice on 02380 865051 or ask at reception to book your appointment.

We can also do blood tests for patients not registered with us, as long as they are registered with a GP surgery in the Andover, Eastleigh, Totton and Waterside, West New Forest or Winchester areas!

Don't forget though - all patients must have the blood request form from their GP or consultant with them when they attend the appointment. If you do not, we cannot carry out the blood test.

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.