Pre-Departure: COVID-19 PCR home swabbing kit
Pre-Departure:
COVID-19 PCR home swabbing kit
If you’re planning on going abroad this summer, remember: you may need to show a negative COVID test result before you’re allowed to travel.
Our COVID PCR test (also known as the RT-PCR test) shows whether you’re currently free of COVID-19. So it can give you the documentation you need to travel.
Government Listed Provider
Gold Standard PCR Covid-19 Testing methodology
Analysis by a trusted, accredited laboratory
Next day results* for samples received at lab by 3 pm sent by secure email (*up to midnight)
Same day despatch for orders received before 1:30 pm (Monday to Friday) / Express return options and in person sample drop to Central London location available.
KIT COST:£99.00
Current travel regulations are changing, we highly recommend you check this PCR test meets the entry requirement for your destination country at the time of travel.
Our laboratory is trusted by world-renowned hospitals
This test is processed by HCA Laboratories, which is part of HCA Healthcare: one of the largest providers of private healthcare in the country. So, as well as carrying out thousands of tests daily for GP surgeries, hospitals and other clients across the UK, the lab supports world-famous HCA hospitals such as The Portland, The Princess Grace, The Harley Street Clinic and London Bridge Hospital.
How it works in 4 simple steps to complete the test
Many airlines ask to see a negative test result within between 48 to 72 hours of your departure – if this is the case, you should carry out your test as early as possible within that window and return your swab to us immediately. Our customer service team are on hand to help but please first check the requirements for your travel with your airline and current government guidelines.
Step 1
Order our COVID PCR test
When ordering your test please allow one to two working days for delivery, then choose how to return your swab to us. We recommend a courier (‘express return to laboratory’) to make the process quicker, or to personally drop the sample at our drop-off centre in Central London.
If you require a test kit urgently, please contact hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk
Once you’ve ordered, our customer service team will get in touch to clarify how everything will work including your return process.
Step 2
Take your swab at home
Following the instruction booklet or the video below, perform a simple nasal and throat swab – if you’re unable to do this yourself, the instruction booklet explain how someone can help you.
The test should only be performed on the person whose name is on the kit, and it is not for anyone under the age of 5.
Step 3
Return the swab to us
Please return your swab to us immediately after taking it, to give our lab teams as much time as possible to analyse and share your results.
Step 4
Wait for your results
We’ll send your result including your official pathology report via email. As long as you’re COVID free, you can use this to show that you’re fit to travel.
How to take your swab and return it to us
1. WASH YOUR HANDS
Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
2. Unpack your kit
Check if your kit contains all items
3. FIND YOUR TONSILS
Use a mirror to find your tonsils. Alternatively, if your tonsils have been removed find where your tonsils would have been.
4. BLOW YOUR NOSE
Blow your nose gently and cough into a tissue, then throw the tissue away in a bin.
5. OPEN THE SWAB PACKAGE
Be careful not to touch the soft end of the swab on anything except for your tonsils or nose when completing the test.
6. Complete the throat swab
Holding the swab in your hand, open your mouth and gently rub the swab over your tonsils and back of your throat for 10 seconds, then remove from the back of your throat. Looking in a mirror to help you do this.
7. Complete the nasal swab
Place the same end of the same swab gently into your nostril approximately 1 inch (2.5cm), or until you feel resistance. Rotate the swab for 15 seconds and slowly remove it. Using the same swab, repeat for second nostril.
8. Place the swab in the vial
Place the swab in the plastic vial with the fabric tip facing down. Snap off the other end of the swab so that it fits into the vial. Place the lid back on the vial and ensure it is fastened. Please make sure you assign the label with patient details to the tube.
9. PACK YOUR SAMPLE
Place the plastic vial and the absorbant sheet into the sealable plastic bag.
10. Secure your sample
Place the plastic bag inside the biohazard bag and seal the biohazard bag.
10. COMPLETE THE REQUEST FORM
Ensure the Name and DOB on the Request Form are exactly as on the vial.
Complete time and date swabbed and then sign the patient form..
12. RETURN THE SAMPLE IMMEDIATELY
Place the biohazard bag and the patient form inside the box and seal it with the silver security seal. Place the box in the return bag and, depending on the option you chose when you ordered, give it to your courier or drop it at your allocated drop-off point straight away.
Do you have any unanswered questions
The test has a higher than 98% accuracy rate and is carried by our accredited laboratory.
We highly recommend selecting express return to Laboratory option at the checkout, which will ensure that you kit is couriered back to the lab next day guaranteed.
The results are available within 24-48 hours of us receiving your sample.
You'll receive an official pathology report in order to fly by secure email.
There are two types of result you can get:
- -Detected
- -Not Detected
The Covid-19 RT-PCR Home Kit contains:
• 1 plastic tube (vial) with patient detail label attached
• 1 dry swab
• 1 sealable plastic bag
• 1 biohazard bag with silver seal
• 1 absorbent sheet
• 1 box and security seal
• 1 patient details form
• 1 booklet
• 1 return envelope
This test requires a combined nose and throat swab using a flocked oral swab returned to the labs in the tube provided.
The sample is only viable for a couple of days on the specialised swabs so we recommend that you return the sample to the lab as quickly as possible after swabbing.
Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis is the gold-standard for COVID-19 detection, confirming the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a sample.
This test only indicates whether you have a current COVID-19 infection. It does NOT test for antibodies and can not indicate whether you have been infected previously.
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
A positive result means you had coronavirus when the test was done.
A negative result means the test did not find coronavirus in the sample submitted.
You do not need to self-isolate if your test is negative, as long as:
- - everyone you live with who has symptoms tests negative
- - everyone in your support bubble who has symptoms tests negative
- - you were not told to self-isolate for 14 days by NHS Test and Trace – if you were, see what to do if you've been told you've been in contact with someone who has coronavirus
- - you feel well – if you feel unwell, stay at home until you’re feeling better
If you have diarrhoea or you’re being sick, stay at home until 48 hours after they've stopped.
Please follow the UK Government guidelines which can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The kits can last 2 years unopened.
The test should not be administered to any patient under the age of 5 years.
Keeping your data secure is important to us.
All data submitted via our website is encrypted during transmission and only shared with our distribution partner.
