Access to Blood Test Results

[AM1874]

I can see my GP notes - or at least the ones that are coded for my access. It is under "consultations" and briefly lists the topics discussed. Any actual diagnosis is on a different page. (Problems, I think from memory). It also contains notes from my nurse following my annual reviews such as results of foot examination, what diet I follow and so on. (There is no tick box on her computer screen for low carb high fat so she entered high fibre - this probably being the nearest! It also contains some tests/treatment done at the hospital where the hospital has informed the GP.

Obviously some notes may not be coded for my access but I will never know that.

That's my point .. I can see all the info that is coded for access but why is there some stuff .. ie: "free text" .. that I can't see? Why is it that my doc can say and record things on my records that the surgery receptionist can see but I can't? Why is it that things that did not happen and /or were not said can be recorded as "fact" and I will never know about them .. but others will

 

[Goonergal]

My surgery is one that is lagging behind on this. I requested access and was told that it's not currently offered. I asked the GP I've been seeing about my diabetes and she said she thinks it's coming soon. She did give me a print out of blood test results, but it's frustrating not being able to go online.

 

[Rachox]

Well that was painless getting access. The receptionist just asked for photo ID, she clicked a few times on her computer and hey presto it was done.
I've been scouring the results, but unfortunately I can only see the HbA1c results that I know about. I can't see the result my GP referred to from 2013 I found a plasma glucose result from 2008 of 5.3mmol/l

 

[Rachox]

Oh hang on I've found it! But nothing in between then and now

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi @Rachox

You probably didn't have any HbA1c tests prior to April 17. They weren't routine until diagnosis then. It is only more recently people over 40 have been called in for health checks that do include them. You may find a few plasma random or plasma fasting tests, and you should find all your other blood tests such as cholesterol, FBC kidneys, liver etc. I find it fascinating.

Your plasma fasting of 6.8 has a red star against it, alerting your GP to the fact it was above normal range. He really should have warned you about this, or at least done a confirmatory test.

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Rachox

You probably didn't have any HbA1c tests prior to April 17. They weren't routine until diagnosis then. It is only more recently people over 40 have been called in for health checks that do include them. You may find a few plasma random or plasma fasting tests, and you should find all your other blood tests such as cholesterol, FBC kidneys, liver etc. I find it fascinating.

Your plasma fasting of 6.8 has a red star against it, alerting your GP to the fact it was above normal range. He really should have warned you about this, or at least done a confirmatory test.

I've looked through every thing now looking for diabetes/sugar results and I've only found a normal random test in 2008, the starred fasting glucose result in 2013 and my recent HbA1c results. Yes I'm annoyed about the red star and will mention it at my review in July. I've no clue what was happening to me between 2013 and now. I'm not wanting to apportion blame, what's done is done but I'd like to know if I've had diabetes for a few months or indeed a few years, to be able to know my risks for complications.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I've looked through every thing now looking for diabetes/sugar results and I've only found a normal random test in 2008, the starred fasting glucose result in 2013 and my recent HbA1c results. Yes I'm annoyed about the red star and will mention it at my review in July. I've no clue what was happening to me between 2013 and now. I'm not wanting to apportion blame, what's done is done but I'd like to know if I've had diabetes for a few months or indeed a few years, to be able to know my risks for complications.

How very frustrating for you, but as it seems you never had any other blood glucose tests I guess you will never know. I would certainly have a "discussion" at your next review. The good thing is you now know where you stand and have made an excellent start to trying to get yourself in remission. Maybe it is best not to know!

 

[Rachox]

How very frustrating for you, but as it seems you never had any other blood glucose tests I guess you will never know. I would certainly have a "discussion" at your next review. The good thing is you now know where you stand and have made an excellent start to trying to get yourself in remission. Maybe it is best not to know!

Yes! Maybe ignorance is bliss!

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes! Maybe ignorance is bliss!

Now have a look at everything else - cholesterol and all the other routine tests. See how you fare with those. When my results first came on line over 12 months ago I copied everything (and I mean everything) to an excel sheet, along with the normal standards, which makes it a lot easier to keep track of trends.

 

[donnellysdogs]

I didnt provide anything.. just asked receptionist for me and hubby.

Some practices do not allow full access for patients to view letters from consultants. Some do, some dont.

All practices should allow viewing of blood tests, xray results, prescribed meds and allow patients to order meds and make appts on line.

I was first to be trialled at my GP in 2014. That was with patient access system. My current Gp uses systmonline. Still good but patientaccess was better.

 

[Rachox]

Now have a look at everything else - cholesterol and all the other routine tests. See how you fare with those. When my results first came on line over 12 months ago I copied everything (and I mean everything) to an excel sheet, along with the normal standards, which makes it a lot easier to keep track of trends.

I've had a good look. Can't see anything else to worry about
My family laugh at my spreadsheets! I have all the household accounts in one and now my food and blood sugar readings in a new one. I'll just keep my HbA1c results on my spreadsheet. I'll leave the other blood results unless they become a worry too!

 

[Rachox]

I didnt provide anything.. just asked receptionist for me and hubby.

Some practices do not allow full access for patients to view letters from consultants. Some do, some dont.

All practices should allow viewing of blood tests, xray results, prescribed meds and allow patients to order meds and make appts on line.

I was first to be trialled at my GP in 2014. That was with patient access system. My current Gp uses systmonline. Still good but patientaccess was better.

Thank you yes, it was all very simple in the end and I do indeed now have access to results, allergies and immunisations in addition to appts. and prescriptions which I already had via Patient Access.

 

[Daphne917]

My surgery is one that is lagging behind on this. I requested access and was told that it's not currently offered. I asked the GP I've been seeing about my diabetes and she said she thinks it's coming soon. She did give me a print out of blood test results, but it's frustrating not being able to go online.

I have the same problem and I was told that it was up to the doctors and they had no intention of doing it yet!!

 

[donnellysdogs]

Thank you yes, it was all very simple in the end and I do indeed now have access to results, allergies and immunisations in addition to appts. and prescriptions which I already had via Patient Access.

Yaaaaay... another convert.

Now if you could get the GPs to convert to telephone call backs and gyaranteed appt on day if you need it, like our Practice... the GPs would all be great!!

 

[donnellysdogs]

I have the same problem and I was told that it was up to the doctors and they had no intention of doing it yet!!

Not quite.. I'll look up the time limits that GPs should have complied to. Scotland operates differently, not sure about Wales..

 

[Rachox]

Yaaaaay... another convert.

Now if you could get the GPs to convert to telephone call backs and gyaranteed appt on day if you need it, like our Practice... the GPs would all be great!!

My GP does already do phone call backs and same day appts if it's very urgent!

 

[Prem51]

Sounds like you have a good surgery @Rachox, even if your GP did omit to warn you about the pre-diabetes.
I can't speak to GP on phone, it takes 3 weeks to get an appointment, and it took me over 6 months before they gave me online access to my test results.

 

[Rachox]

Sounds like you have a good surgery @Rachox, even if your GP did omit to warn you about the pre-diabetes.

Indeed I have. Up til now (37 years at the same surgery) I've never had a problem with them. They seem to be very forward thinking, in general.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Indeed I have. Up til now (37 years at the same surgery) I've never had a problem with them. They seem to be very forward thinking, in general.

Mine too. They win awards. I have zero problems. Same day telephone appointments and same day face to face for urgent stuff if you are prepared to see any of the doctors, or you can see a prescribing nurse within a day or two if it is a minor ailment. Not too long to see your GP of choice either providing they aren't on holiday or whatever. Test results were on line before the April 2016 deadline, and are available the day following the tests if the tests were in the morning.

My diabetes reviews are smooth. I get a letter when the blood test is due (usually the month before), make an appointment with a health care assistant who takes the blood, does all the stuff like weighing, measuring, BP, urine dip and also sends one off to the lab etc. This is 6 monthly at the moment. Once a year I am called in to see the DN once all the test results are in. She checks my feet and BP and we discuss whatever there is to discuss. I was diagnosed January 2014 and so far this system hasn't failed. My GP is never involved.

 

[Rachox]

Mine too. They win awards. I have zero problems. Same day telephone appointments and same day face to face for urgent stuff if you are prepared to see any of the doctors, or you can see a prescribing nurse within a day or two if it is a minor ailment. Not too long to see your GP of choice either providing they aren't on holiday or whatever. Test results were on line before the April 2016 deadline, and are available the day following the tests if the tests were in the morning.

My diabetes reviews are smooth. I get a letter when the blood test is due (usually the month before), make an appointment with a health care assistant who takes the blood, does all the stuff like weighing, measuring, BP, urine dip and also sends one off to the lab etc. This is 6 monthly at the moment. Once a year I am called in to see the DN once all the test results are in. She checks my feet and BP and we discuss whatever there is to discuss. I was diagnosed January 2014 and so far this system hasn't failed. My GP is never involved.

Not sure how my diabetic reviews will pan out yet. I have a review with GP mid July (2 months after diagnosis) with a blood test the week before. I'm hoping I'll see the blood results on line now before I see the Dr. I haven't had my feet checked yet, but have had my retinal scan, no results from that yet, I was told six weeks.