If you need medical advice about your symptoms, go to:

– England: NHS 111 online coronavirus service

– Scotland: NHS inform

– Wales: NHS 111 Wales

– Northern Ireland: get advice from a GP or GP out-of-hours service

Call 999 if you feel very unwell or think there’s something seriously wrong.

PCR swab test (have you GOT Covid-19?) or an antibody blood test (have you HAD Covid-19?)

PCR swab test (have you got it?):
– Technically this is a Qualitative PCR (COVID-19, Novel Coronavirus RNA (SARS-CoV-2)
– It looks for evidence the virus is currently in your body, by detecting the presence of its RNA (genetic material in the virus)
– The PCR test can therefore only tell us if the virus is currently present in the bod
– Practically, the test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud
– Your sample is sent to a laboratory to be processed
– Results are produced and sent to the patient withing a 48 hour window from arrival at the lab. The result will come in an email to the patient with a PDF confirmation (certificate) from the laboratory used for the test
– It is quick and easily administered by a health professional. Results will be Positive or Negative (i.e. do I have Corona virus or not)

If the result is positive, then you must follow NHS guideline: 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/what-your-test-result-means/

The PCR test is done by taking a saliva sample with a swab from the nasal passage and throat. You will feel a little discomfort to achieve the necessary sample. The sample is then send to lab and results returned to your email.

We work with a large group called Synlab. The laboratories at Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) perform the SARS-CoV-2 testing on behalf of Synlab Laboratory Services, Abergavenny.

The Laboratory uses methods approved by PHE for PCR testing, and also provides the same testing as part of its service to the local heath community through the NHS.
The laboratory participates in accreditation under ISO15189 through UKAS, under No. 9769, and the most recent schedule of accreditation can be found at via the UKAS website at:

https://www.ukas.com/wp-content/uploads/schedule_uploads/00007/9769%20Medical%20Multiple.pdf

The laboratories at SPS are CQC registered (under Integrated Pathology Partnerships, the legal entity involved) which is a legal requirement in the UK.

This can be found at:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-353691343

Countries vary, but we recommend checking with your airline prior to departure. Typically certain countries require a PCR test up to 72 hours prior to departure. See our Fit to Fly pages for more details. 

We recommend checking with your travel provider. Cathay Pacific gives advice on its website .  It is crucial you supply the exact name(s) on your passport to match you certificate.  

The laboratories at Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) perform the SARS-CoV-2 testing on behalf of Synlab Laboratory Services, Abergavenny.

The Laboratory uses methods approved by PHE for PCR testing, and also provides the same testing as part of its service to the local heath community through the NHS.

The laboratory participates in accreditation under ISO15189 through UKAS, under No. 9769, and the most recent schedule of accreditation can be found at via the UKAS website at:
https://www.ukas.com/wp-content/uploads/schedule_uploads/00007/9769%20Medical%20Multiple.pdf

The laboratories at SPS are CQC registered (under Integrated Pathology Partnerships, the legal entity involved) which is a legal requirement in the UK.

This can be found at

https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-353691343
 

More information can be provided on request.

The CTK test is done by taking a finger-prick blood sample. Your finger will be cleaned with an antimicrobial alcohol wipe first, and then we will prick the finger using a lancet. You will feel a little pinch and we will be able to take the blood sample for testing.

The antibody test determines a person’s immune response to Covid-19. IgM antibodies typically appear first in a patient’s blood when the body is fighting. IgG appears later and usually remains present in the blood once the body has mounted it’s response. Therefore our recommend antibody testing from 14 days after the onset of symptoms or 14 days after a positive PCR test.

There is evidence to show that people can be infected with COVID-19 without experiencing symptoms. Whether or not you experience symptoms, this type of COVID-19 test will be able to determine if you have previously had the coronavirus.

IgM Antibodies Detected – If IgM antibodies are detected it means that you may still be infected, or you may have recently recovered from a COVID-19 infection. If your Antibody test shows traces of IgM you will be asked to leave site. We recommend that you contact 111 to get further advice

IgG Antibodies Detected – If IgG antibodies are detected it means that you may have had Covid-19 in the recent past and have developed antibodies. It is unknown at this point how much protection antibodies provide against reinfection.

Negative – If no antibodies are detected this may mean you have not been infected by Covid-19. However, if you recently had contact with a person infected by Covid-19 it may be too early for you to have a positive result for antibodies. We recommend returning for a future Pyser test after 14 days have elapsed.

*It is important to understand that if you choose the Rapid Onsite Testing Kit you will be tested for IgG and IgM antibodies. If you choose the Abbott Lab-based blood test you will be tested for IgG antibodies only.

If your antibody test is positive it means you have had Covid-19 exposure sufficiently to make an antibody response to the virus. There is currently no scientific evidence confirming if the presence of antibodies correlates to immunity or how long the antibodies will last for.

If your antibody test is negative, it means you have not been exposed sufficiently to make an antibody response or there has not been sufficient time for the body to make an antibody response. There is also a possibility that your body made an antibody response which has not been sustained and is therefore not detectable when it was tested for. Some patients with other underlying health conditions specifically related to their immune system may also not be able to mount a detectable or sustainable immune response and therefore may test negative. 

Please note that some people may not develop IgG antibodies even after proven infection with Covid-19 and will therefore test negative. You may also have recently come into contact with someone who has the virus and have contracted the virus. This means you may not have developed antibodies yet.

The Rapid OnSite Antibody Test has shown:

97.1% sensitivity

97.8% specificity

The Abbott Lab-based Antibody Test has shown:

99% sensitivity

100% specificity 

Sensitivity refers to how effectively a test can identify those who have a specific illness or disease. This is also known as the ‘true positive rate.’

Specificity refers to how accurately a test can identify those who do not have a certain illness or disease

Sources: According to the manufacturer

We are proud to work with British Military Veterans who are fully trained healthcare works to conduct the tests.

The CTK Biotech Test produces a result in 10-15 minutes; you will be informed of your result verbally on the day of testing, and via email.

The Abbott Test produces a result in up to 5 days; you will be informed of your result via email.

Venous blood sampling involves collecting blood from the veins. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory to be examined.

Capillary blood sampling is a method of collecting a blood sample through a fingerprick test.

You will be met by security at the entrance to your test location, you will be asked to present your valid photo ID and e-ticket. 

We are taking extensive steps to ensure that our testing sites are a safe and comfortable environment for our customers. On arrival at your chosen test location our registration staff will use heat detectors on entry to ensure any customer showing fever-like symptoms are not admitted to site.

Each customer will be provided with a bag that will have PPE and the chosen test kit. Our site adheres to all government guidelines, you can read more about this here; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Our registration staff use heat detectors on entry to ensure any staff or customer showing fever-like symptoms will unfortunately NOT be admitted onto site to reduce the chance of infection spread.

LCH has a legal obligation, over the oversight of the CQC / Health & Social Care Act regulations, and clinical governance of the Pyser/LCH work.  There is no certificate, but it is a legal obligation of LCH to have updated the CQC with the Pyser/LCH work.   The attached link demonstrates that LCH is regulated by the CQC (and Health & Social Care Act). https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-2950862052/services