If you have been asked to have a blood or urine test by us or the hopsital here is some helpful information about how to go about doing these.
Blood tests
Once you have been asked to have a blood test done please collect the form from our reception (if it was the hospital they will have provided you with a form directly). You then need to book a blood test appointment online by clicking here. There are many places that can do blood tests so please book somewhere convenient for you. A few blood tests need to be done iether at th hopistal or the City of Covenry Health Centre but if this is true for your test you will have been told this by the clincian ordering the test.
All the results are available for you to view on your NHS app. If you do not have the app please click here to download.
Please note we will not routinely call you with your blood results even if they are not normal and need actioning. It is your responsibilty to check your NHS app for the results and the message which accompanies them. This maybe as simple as "okay" or may say "make an appointment to discuss with the doctor" which you can do via your anima account.
Urine tests
If you have been asked to check whether there is an infection then please collect the form and a RED topped bottle from reception.
The aim is to get a specimen (sample) of urine from the middle of your stream when you pass urine (this is called a midstream sample).
Urine is normally sterile (no bacteria present). If bacteria are found in the sample, it means that the urine is infected. A midstream sample is best as the first bit of urine that you pass may be contaminated with bacteria from the skin.
- Prior to obtaining a sample, wash your hands.
- Firstly, hold open your labia (skin at the entrance to the vagina). Pass some urine into the toilet. Then, without stopping the flow of urine, catch some urine in a sterile bottle. (The bottle is usually provided by a doctor or nurse.) Once you have enough urine in the bottle, finish off passing the rest of your urine into the toilet.
- Do not open the sterile bottle until you are ready to take the sample. You do not need to fill the bottle to the top, a small amount will do. Avoid touching any part of your genitals with the bottle, as this will increase the risk of contamination. Put the cap back on the container. The sooner the sample is given in to the doctor’s surgery, or to the laboratory, the better. Within two hours is best. If that is not possible, put the sample in the fridge until you take it to the doctor or laboratory.
- Please ensure the bottle is labelled clearly with your name, date of birth and the date which the sample was taken.
You may have been asked to do a urine test as part of your diabetes check or to monitor your kidneys. If this is the case then please caollect the form and a WHITE topped pot from reception. It is not quite so important that it is a clean sample as needed when looking for infection we would recommend following the same instructions as above. The important thing about this smaple is that it is the FIRST sample of the day. This is because it is looking for protein in your urine and the first sample of the day will have the will be the most concentrated. Again please ensure you label clearly wit your name, date of birth and the date you gave the sample. Please return this to the surgery, the blood test window below the practice or your lcoal chemist may be able to take it for you. Please note the samples are collected mid afternoon so your need to drop any samples in by about 3pm.
As with all results we will not routinely call you even if they are not normal and need actioning. It is your responsibilty to check your NHS app for the results and the message which accompanies them.