Can medical receptionists give out test results?

[RainbowBriteUk]

I went in to hospital a month back for surgery and a biopsy. I've since been really ill from the illness I suffer from so rang my surgery to see if I can speak to a GP to get a medication that sometimes soothes illness. Usually, the receptiobody has given out test results over the phone I'm sure, bit when I asked today if the results were in she said they were but she couldn't give them to me as she isn't medically trained. I'm now fearing the worst. Can GP receptionists give out results by phone?

As far as I know receptionists only give results if they’re completely clear.

If the doctor needs to give advice or info then they won’t. If the results show something urgent they’ll call you without you needing to call.

It doesn’t automatically mean it’s anything sinister.

Receptionists can give out results if they’ve been reviewed and signed off by the GP. It sounds as though your results haven’t been reviewed or signed off and therefore the receptionist is correct. She doesn’t have the medical training to interpret your results. It doesn’t automatically mean it’s anything bad

Generally not unless they’re completely clear and the doc has approved them to. If the GPhasnt seen them or there’s any interpretation needed they shouldn’t be given out by reception.

All results that come into surgery are seen by a Gp or ANP and have a comment put on eg normal no action or make appointment
If the results haven’t been seen yet or a comment made the reception team will say they cannot tell you as they are not qualified to interpret the results . It doesn’t automatically mean they’re abnormal

I've had a recent situation where the medical secretary said she couldn't give me my results (I'd been told to ring for them a week after a scan) and that the consultant would contact me. Two horrible weeks later, I got a letter saying 'everything's fine'.

I'd worked myself up into a right tizz.

They can give them out under the doctors instructions. Mine usually reads out the note attached by the GP. Sometimes you may need medication or a medication tweak and then you need to see/speak to the GP. Last time I got results it was after an x-Ray, she said the doctor had written that it is ‘as she thought and nothing can really be done apart from physio’ I have to self refer for that.

At my practice, only medical staff are allowed to give out results. It saves confusion or incorrect information. Even if everything is fine, the receptionist won't be able to answer questions or tell you what they mean, or what happens next. At my practice, it's a blanket policy to protect staff and patients, so I wouldn't read anything into it. Hope everything is ok.

I think this is standard, ours just say something bland and non-committal such as 'the results are as expected' or 'the doctor will call you'. The receptionists are guarding against worrying the patient and/or protecting themselves.

DH, who has a medical condition which is now end-stage, says 'if you could give me the figures I can assure you I understand what they mean and I need them to pass on to my consultant'. This usually works, though not always.

Ours wouldn't give out results over the phone. They'd put me through to the doctor or practice nurse or get them to call me back.

Thanks for all your replies. I spoke to the doctor and the biopsy came back clear. There are other things but these can be sorted and the doctor was very helpful.