How to follow up on test results (and what to do if you hear nothing)
When a test is done, ask how and when you'll get the result and who to contact if you don't; then check the NHS App or your GP surgery when that date comes, and ask if the result isn't there.
Why is this harder than it sounds?
"No news is good news" is a risky assumption. Results can be delayed, sent to the wrong place, or come back to a GP surgery without anyone telling you. The NHS's own guidance is that if you don't get results when you expect them, you should ask for them. The hard part is remembering, weeks later, that you were waiting.
What should you do?
Ask three questions at the time of the test
What is it for? How and when will I get the result? Who do I contact if I don't? These are on the NHS's own checklist.
Write down the date you should hear by
Put a reminder for that date, not for "sometime soon".
Check online if you can
In England, you can see results shared with your GP surgery in the NHS App or your NHS account if you're registered with a GP and aged 16 or over.
Know what you won't see
Hospital results that haven't been sent to your GP surgery won't appear in your GP record; the hospital may contact you or tell you how to get them.
Chase it
If the date passes, contact the surgery or clinic. Ask what the result means and what, if anything, you need to do.
What tends not to work
Assuming silence means everything's fine.
Interpreting a result yourself from a reference range online. The NHS advises contacting your GP surgery if you're not sure what a result means.
Waiting for the next routine appointment to ask.
Common questions
Can I see my test results in the NHS App?
In England, yes, for results shared with your GP surgery, if you're registered with a GP and aged 16 or over. Older results may need to be requested from the surgery.
Who should I ask what a result means?
Your GP surgery, or the clinic that ordered the test.
Where Nura fits
Tell Nura you're waiting on a result and when you were told to expect it, and it schedules a check-in for that date to ask whether it's arrived. If it hasn't, the check-in is your prompt to contact the surgery. Nura won't interpret results; it makes sure the follow-up happens.
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Nura does not diagnose, prescribe or replace your clinician. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US); in the UK, NHS 111 can help if you need medical help but it isn't an emergency.