When will my test report be ready? What if there is a problem with it, and can I get it before the follow-up?
Report times differ by test, so ask the institution that did the test or your treating doctor; you do not always have to wait for the follow-up to get a report — you can make a data access request under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance for your own records, which the data user must generally comply with within 40 days (Privacy Commissioner FAQ, June 2016). Getting a report and having a doctor interpret it and decide the next step are different things; for an abnormal or red-flag result, contact your treating doctor rather than guessing from the report yourself.
When is a report usually ready?
The time to a report differs by test, so the most accurate answer is to ask the institution that did the test or your treating doctor. For radiology, if you are registered with eHealth, a report is generally viewable in the app's "Investigation Records" 14 days after it is issued (Health Bureau, April 2025).
To know when your particular test will be ready, who will notify you, and whom to contact if you do not hear back, ask at the time of the test or when booking.
Can I get a copy early instead of waiting for the follow-up?
Yes. You can make a data access request under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) to the institution holding the records for a copy of your medical records; the data user must generally comply within 40 days of receiving the request and may charge a fee that is not excessive (Privacy Commissioner FAQ, June 2016).
Fees and processing times differ by institution: a Hospital Authority data access request for a copy of your personal data is HK$100 each (including the first 10 pages and postage) (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026); private hospitals have their own arrangements — for example Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas) generally has it ready within 28 days of the application being completed (Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas), October 2026). Routes, fees and collecting for someone are in how to get your own medical records and images.
The report is out but the follow-up is far off — what should I do now?
Having the report does not mean someone has interpreted it. The numbers and descriptions in a report only have meaning when a doctor reads them together with your history and situation; do not frighten yourself by reading the report alone.
If you are worried the result is abnormal, or the report itself says follow-up is needed, contact your treating doctor or the doctor who referred you and ask whether to bring the follow-up forward; if you develop red-flag symptoms, seek care — including A&E — rather than waiting for the scheduled slot. Follow-up for a particular abnormal result is arranged by your treating doctor for your situation.
Related guides
Formally applying for copies of records, reports and images (routes, fees, processing time, collecting for someone): see how to get your own medical records and images.
When two doctors advise differently and what to compare: see what to compare when two doctors disagree.
Registering for eHealth and viewing radiology reports in the mobile app: see eHealth registration.
Frequently asked questions
Must I wait for the follow-up to learn my test result?
Not necessarily. You can make a data access request under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance for your records, which must generally be complied with within 40 days (Privacy Commissioner FAQ, June 2016); but a report needs a doctor's interpretation, and an abnormal or red-flag result should be raised with your treating doctor rather than read alone.
What does it cost and how long to get the report myself?
A Hospital Authority data access request for a copy of your personal data is HK$100 each (first 10 pages included) (Hospital Authority public-hospital administrative charges, from 1 January 2026); private hospitals vary — for example Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas) generally has it ready within 28 days of the completed application (Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas), October 2026).
What if there is a problem with my report?
If you are worried the result is abnormal, or the report itself says follow-up is needed, contact your treating doctor or the doctor who referred you and ask whether to bring the follow-up forward; if you develop red-flag symptoms, seek care — including A&E — rather than waiting for the scheduled slot. Follow-up for a particular abnormal result is arranged by your treating doctor for your situation.
When can I see a radiology report in eHealth?
If you are registered with eHealth, a radiology report is generally viewable in the app's "Investigation Records" 14 days after it is issued (Health Bureau, April 2025); for how to register, see eHealth registration.