Your doctor or other health professional may ask you to provide a sample to help diagnose or rule out health conditions.

Please do not provide a sample unless you have been asked to do so by a GP or healthcare professional. This is so that any symptoms can be assessed, medications started if appropriate, and the appropriate tests arranged for the sample.

You will be provided with a sample pot, to collect your sample.

You will need to return this sample pot to the reception desk between Monday and Friday 8am-1pm.

You will need to clearly label the pot with your name, date of birth and the date.

How to collect a urine sample:

• wash your hands
• wash your genitalia to avoid contamination
• start to urinate but don’t collect the first part of the urine that comes out
  collect a sample of urine ‘mid-stream’ in a sample container provided by the practice
• screw the lid of the container shut
• wash your hands thoroughly.

As long as the sample is clean and properly labelled, you can drop the sample container in at the Reception Desk. If you cannot hand your urine sample within an hour, you should keep in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge (for no longer than 24 hours) to prevent bacteria multiplying and affecting the test results.

How to collect a poo (stool) sample:

• Put something in the toilet to catch the poo, such as a clean disposable container
• Make sure your poo does not touch the inside of the toilet or the water
• Use a disposable spoon to put some poo in the container – sometimes your sample pot will come with a spoon
• Fill your sample pot just under half way and screw the lid of the container shut
• wash your hands thoroughly.