How not to get your blood results .....

[TAS50]

So I needed to get the results of my latest blood tests on Friday and rang the doctors. I am in a NHS practice of 25,000 patients.

Me: I don't know whether you can help me but I need to pick up a copy of my blood test results. I have chronic lymphocyte leukaemia and it is quite important to me to study any progression in my disease

Receptionist: You will have to ring the results line and it is closed

Me: Yes, but actually the results line is no good for me as they are not clinicians and are merely going to say that I have abnormalities. I need to pick up a copy of the detailed results.

Receptionist: Well I can't give them to you.

Me: Maybe not but there must be some way to access these. I did ask when I had the blood taken on Tuesday that they be made available when in. Are there any notes on my file to say this? How can I get hold of them?

Receptionist: They have only just come in. I am not sure. I can't see your file. Couldn't you just ring the results line on Monday?

Me: No, I really don't think the results line will work for me. How do you suggest I get a copy of them? Can I see a doctor?

Receptionist: No, we have no appointments free. The results line is closed now as I said.

And so we went on until finally I was offered a telephone consultation with a doctor in which, you guessed it, she told me I have CLL! Ah well.............

[shaws Administrator]

Inform your doctor you want a copy of your blood test results with the ranges, each time you have a blood test as you want them for your own records.

She cannot refuse as we are entitled to our own results. Some surgeries charge a nominal sum i.e. mine charge 30p per sheet. The Law states we can have copies of our own results.

I have no idea what CLL is?

[TAS50 in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws. I do get them in the end but it is so frustrating. CLL = chronic lymphocyte leukaemia

[shaws Administrator in reply to TAS50]

I am sorry you have CLL and I hope it is not to difficult to resolve.I think receptionists should be more sympathetic and helpful as they are dealing with sick people.

[Sewnsew]

I’m registered with Patient Access and can view my blood results on line. This saves a lot of hassle. Ask your surgery if they have or are moving towards on line access.

[TAS50 in reply to Sewnsew]

Ok two of you say this. It has never been suggested but I will ask

[TAS50]

I will ask sounds sensible

[Babette]

Not all surgeries offer blood test results through online access. I can book appointments and order repeat prescriptions (which is still a bonus as I don't have to deal with receptionists) but nothing more.

[trelemorele in reply to Babette]

Babette

The reason you don't have access to your results is because your surgery didn't tick relevant box.

Send an email to systonline and tell them you have no access to your blood results and or others patient data.

They'll come back and tell you it's your surgery not allowing this and tell you what the surgery needs to do.

Forward that email to your surgery manager and ask to resolve.

I know the problem because I've been in the exact same situation for two years - back and forth with my surgery. They claimed they couldn't do anything.

All sorted now after email to systonline.

I'm.not sure if this was done on purpose or due to staff ignorance but I'm happy to actually say it was both.

Hope it helps

[Babette in reply to trelemorele]

Thanks trelemorele.