• Reference Number: HEY1548/2025
• Departments: Radiology
• Last Updated: 30 June 2025

Introduction

You have been referred to the Rapid Diagnostic Service (RDS) by your GP. This leaflet is intended to give you general information about what happens after you have undergone your imaging tests. This leaflet should answer most of your questions although it is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor. If you have any remaining concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the health care team who has been caring for you or contact your GP.

What happens now I have had my tests?

Your GP should have arranged for you to have blood tests before your visit today.

You will have received an ultrasound scan today. You may have also had a chest x-ray, or within the last six weeks.

When all imaging tests have been performed, the results will be sent to a clinical specialist who will review the ultrasound findings, chest x-ray and your current blood and clinical tests. The clinical specialist will then provide a report and advice to your GP, including whether any further tests are recommended.

The sonographer may be happy with the ultrasound scan, but this will need to be reviewed, along with the chest x-ray and your blood results to make sure we have performed all the investigations you need.

Occasionally, upon review of your imaging it may be necessary to ask you to have further tests. This may be due to poor detail or a finding that requires further investigation, for example, the pancreas is an organ that lies beneath your bowel. Occasionally it is difficult to see with detail on ultrasound as there is too much air in the way. In this case, we will arrange a different test, a CT or MRI, which can look past the air in your bowel and see the pancreas in a different way.

You may receive an appointment for further tests before you have spoken to your GP.  This does not necessarily mean there is an abnormality, more often it is because further information is required to understand your current health status. You will receive a telephone call from our RDS Nurse Specialist team prior to any extra tests for further assessment.

If we find no cause of your symptoms, you will receive a letter informing you as such and we will discharge back to the care of your GP.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Radiology Department RDS Nurse Specialists on tel: 01482 469370.