Frequently asked questions
Need more information about your pathology tests? See our FAQs below.
If you are an adult and your tests are standard (i.e. they do not require special collection methods), you do not need to make an appointment.
At our collection locations, we use a triage system that ensures we attend to you in the most appropriate sequence. For example, if your tests are urgent or you are fasting, you may be taken in for you collection earlier than another patient.
Some tests including specialised tests require specific preparation or need an appointment. You can find more information about pre-test requirements at the link below.
Patient Services Support Centre
Monday-Friday, 6.30 am-5 pm
Saturday, 7 am-noon
Closed Sunday and public holidays.
Phone: (07) 3377 8230
Email: patientservices@snp.com.au
Children
Children need special testing and collection services as well as extra support in preparing for their tests. Children between five and 12 years can have their collection performed at any of our centres. However, we strongly recommend talking to the centre ahead of time and making an appointment to ensure a stress-free experience.
Our littlest patients
We provide special collection for the under-fives performed by collectors who have been trained in advanced paediatric care. Make an appointment at one of the centres listed in the link below.
For most tests you will not need to fast. However, if you doctor has asked you to fast or they have written ‘fasting’ on your request form, it is required. In the hours after you eat, many chemicals in your blood undergo significant changes. Further changes can occur if you do not eat for an extended period (more than 16 hours). Because of this, fasting blood tests should be collected in the morning after an overnight fast.
Fasting means that you eat and drink nothing except water for 8 –16 hours before your blood test (12 hours optimal).
Read more about fasting blood tests
Many of our collection centres are open on Saturday morning and a limited number are open on Sunday morning. To find a weekend collection centre please visit our locations page and select in the quick filter, 'Open Saturday' and/or 'Sunday'.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you should continue taking any current medication. However, there are some tests that may require you to either have your blood collected after a certain time has elapsed following your dose, or you may need to stop taking your medication altogether. Please consult your doctor or contact Patient Services Support Centre on (07) 3377 8230 or 1300 020 349 for callers outside Brisbane.
Although most tests are routine and available quite quickly, we also offer a great many unusual tests that may take longer for results to be available. It is important for you to let your collector know when you are next seeing your doctor so that they can inform the laboratory.
There are differences in the way Medicare provides rebates for tests. These differ depending on whether you are a community patient or a hospital inpatient. There are also some tests that are not covered by Medicare that must be privately billed. Our billing policy is outlined for you at the link below.
We recommend that you discuss your results with your referring doctor and ask them for a copy of your results during your consultation.
Alternatively, results can be uploaded to My Health Record or downloaded digitally. Request your pathology results via our online self-service portal.
For more information, please call our Patient Results team on (07) 3377 8756 (Monday - Friday, 9 am-5 pm. Closed weekends and public holidays).