Frequently Asked Questions
We've provided below the questions we've been frequently asked, please read these carefully before contacting us, as the answer to your question may be already here.
The home test requires a gentle throat and nasal swab. The instructions booklet within Test Kit and the Video on this website gives full details of how to take the swab correctly.
This test only indicates whether you currently have a COVID-19 infection.
It does NOT test for antibodies and can not indicate whether you have been infected previously.
Depending on the test you've ordered the results are available within 24-48 hours of us receiving your sample.
* The same day result is given within 24 hours.
You will receive your results via an encrypted email. The email will state wether you're negative (not detected) or positive (detected) and will also include your official HCA pathology report which can be used as evidence for travel if negative (not detected).
Standard and Fit to Fly tests will be despatched on the same day providing the order is placed before 1:30 pm. (Monday to Friday)
If the order is placed after 1:30 pm your test will be shipped the next working day.
Please allow one to two working days for the delivery.
Note: orders placed on Friday after 1:30 pm will be dispatched on the following Monday.
We ship our Test to Release & Day 2 tests in line with the government guidelines.
* Test to Release can ONLY be despatched on your day 4 (date of your arrival is considered day 0)
* Day 2 Test will be despatched on the same day providing they are ordered before 1:30 pm.
If the order is placed after 1:30 pm your test will be shipped the next working day.
Please allow one to two working days for the delivery.
Note: orders placed on Friday after 1:30 pm will be dispatched on the following Monday.
International Travel - Covid-19 RT-PCR Test
You can order your test anytime you find convenient, however please allow one to two working days for delivery.
Your test can be returned to the laboratory using the following methods:
1. Same Day courier service (additional cost)
2. Next Day courier service (additional cost)
3. Personally (providing you are showing no symptoms)
4. Arrange your own courier.
A pre-paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return envelope is provided (however we do NOT recommend this as postal delays could delay your result)
Please note that we need to allow up to 48 hours for processing and resulting. Ensure the test is taken within your Fit to Fly timeframe and returned to us immediately after taking it, to give our lab teams as much time as possible to analyse and share your results.
The laboratory is open 24/7.
The sample can be returned to the address below:
HCA Laboratories
(Samples Reception)
10a Capper Street
London
WC1E 6JA
For Fit to Fly tests we do NOT recommend using the pre paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return Service.
Due to the delays sometimes Royal Mail is experiencing, your test might not get back to us in time for processing in relation to your fit to fly timeframe.
Yes, providing your kit has not been used. Our kits can last 2 years unopened.
You can inform us of your updated flight date by emailing: (hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk)
You can order your test anytime you find convenient, however please allow one to two working days for delivery.
Your test can be returned to the laboratory using the following methods:
1. Same Day courier service (additional cost)
2. Next Day courier service (additional cost)
3. Personally (providing you are showing no symptoms)
4. Arrange your own courier.
A pre-paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return envelope is provided (however we do NOT recommend this as postal delays could delay your result)
In order to receive the results same day, the sample MUST be received by the laboratory by 1 pm on the day you require the result.
Samples received after 1 pm will receive a result by 11 am the following day
The laboratory is open 24/7.
The sample can be returned to the address below:
HCA Laboratories
(Samples Reception)
10a Capper Street
London
WC1E 6JA
For Fit to Fly tests we do NOT recommend using the pre paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return Service.
Due to the delays sometimes Royal Mail is experiencing, your test might not get back to us in time for processing in relation to your fit to fly timeframe.
Yes, providing your kit has not been used. Our kits can last 2 years unopened.
You can inform us of your updated flight date by emailing: (hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk)
Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London
W1U 5NY
Your test will be performed by a qualified clinician. Our Covid-19 RT-PCR In Clinic Test requires a throat and lower nasal swab.
You should make your appointment before 12 pm in order to receive the results on the same day.
For appointments from 12:30 pm onwards results will be available by 11 am the following day. (same day appointments may be available)
You can NOT book a clinic appointment for a covid-19 test if you have current covid-19 symptoms or you are self isolating.
Returning to the UK - Covid-19 RT-PCR Test
You can order your test anytime you find convenient, however please note that Day 5 - Test to Release can only be dispatched on day 4 after your arrival (The date of your arrival is considered day 0)
Your sample must not be taken before your 5th full day after arrival in England. (the date of your arrival is considered day 0)
In order to be released from travel quarantine as soon as possible we recommend using the following options:
1. Same Day courier service (additional cost)
2. Next Day courier service (additional cost)
3. Personally (providing you are showing no symptoms)
4. Arrange your own courier.
A pre-paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return envelope is provided (however we do NOT recommend this as postal delays could delay your result)
The sample can be returned to the address below:
HCA Laboratories
(Samples Reception)
10a Capper Street
London
WC1E 6JA
Due to the delays that Royal Mail sometimes experience, we do NOT recommend using the pre-paid Royal Mail Tracked 24 Return Service.
You can stop quarantining as soon as you receive the negative Test to Release result.
Providing that your sample is received by the laboratory by 3 pm you will receive your result the next day (up to midnight)
You must order your Day 2 test before your departure to England.
Your Day 2 test needs to be taken within two days of arriving in England (the day of your arrival is considered day 0)
Your unique Day 2 (Green List) reference number which will have the prefix HCALA will be sent in your order confirmation email.
Return your using the pre-paid Royal Mail Track 24 packaging which is included in your kit.
Please post using a Royal Mail Priority Post Box.
For available services in your area please visit: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you#
Our Day 2 Test can be used ONLY if you're returning from a Green List country.
Even if you're fully vaccinated and returning from an Amber/Red list country you can't use this Day 2 test,
Our Day 2 Home Test can ONLY be used if you're returning from a Green List country.
Before placing your order with us check the rules for entering England on www.gov.uk
In that case, unfortunately you can not use this test.
If your test was already shipped to you, you can return it to the address below and request a refund by emailing: (hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk)
You can NOT use our Day 2 test if you travelled to/through Amber or Red List countries in the 10 days before your return.
You must order your Day 2 - (Amber List) test before your departure to England.
You can NOT use this test if you're not fully vaccinated.
NOTE : Please note this test can be used ONLY if you have been fully vaccinated and it has been 14 days + since your second vaccination or you are under 18 years old. Vaccination must be under the UK vaccination program or a recognised program in the US or other european country - find our more here.
Your Day 2 - (Amber List) test needs to be taken within two days of arriving in England (the day of your arrival is considered day 0)
Your unique Day 2 - (Amber List) reference number which will have the prefix HCALA will be sent in your order confirmation email.
Based on the Return Method chosen at the checkout you can either:
1. Return using the pre-paid Royal Mail Track 24 packaging which is included in your kit.
Please post using a Royal Mail Priority Post Box.
For available services in your area please visit: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you#
2. Personally (providing you are showing no symptoms)
The sample can be returned to the address below:
HCA Laboratories
(Samples Reception)
10a Capper Street
London
WC1E 6JA
Our Day 2 - (Amber List) Test can be used ONLY if you're returning from an Amber List country and you're Fully Vaccinated.
In that case, unfortunately you can not use this test.
If your test was already shipped to you, you can return it to the address below and request a refund by emailing: (hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk)
You can NOT use our Day 2 - (Amber List) test if you travelled to/through Red List countries in the 10 days before your return.
You must order your Day 2 & Day 8 - (Amber List) test before your departure to England.
NOTE : This test must be taken by amber list arrivals who are not exempt from quarantine and day 8 tests (e.g. for Non Vaccinated/Non Fully-Vaccinated Amber Arrivals) - find out more here.
Yes, you can use this test if you're not fully vaccinated.
NOTE : This test must be taken by amber list arrivals who are not exempt from quarantine and day 8 tests (e.g. for Non Vaccinated/Non Fully-Vaccinated Amber Arrivals) - find out more here.
Your Day 2 test needs to be taken within two days of arriving in England.
Your Day 8 test needs to be taken on your 8th day of arriving in England (the day you arrive is Day 0)
Your unique Day 2 & Day 8 - (Amber List) reference number which will have the prefix HCALA will be sent in your order confirmation email.
Based on the Return Method chosen at the checkout you can either:
1. Return using the pre-paid Royal Mail Track 24 packaging which is included in your kit.
Please post using a Royal Mail Priority Post Box.
For available services in your area please visit: www.royalmail.com/services-near-you#
2. Personally (providing you are showing no symptoms)
The sample can be returned to the address below:
HCA Laboratories
(Samples Reception)
10a Capper Street
London
WC1E 6JA
Our Day 2 - (Amber List) Test can be used ONLY if you're returning from an Amber List country and you're Fully Vaccinated.
In that case, unfortunately you can not use this test.
If your test was already shipped to you, you can return it to the address below and request a refund by emailing: (hcasupport@nahealthcare.co.uk)
You can NOT use our Day 2 - (Amber List) test if you travelled to/through Red List countries in the 10 days before your return.
If you still need to contact us please complete the form below and we will respond as quickly as possible.
