IGP are working with the UK's top private laboratories, to offer home PCR (polymerase chain reaction) swab testing, for the detection of active infections of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The PCR swab test is also available in clinic for those that are non-symptomatic, but require proof for travel/work purposes.
Our Covid-19 Antibody tests, for confimation of past infection, are now available for in clinic testing.
Home testing works in a similar way to conventional in clinic testing, except the tests have been designed so that the sample requirements are a lot smaller or easier to obtain yourself.
After completing your order for the Covid-19 test, we will send you one of our home testing kits on the same day.
When you receive the home testing kit, simply provide a sample as requested and return to the lab using the self address envelope.
As soon as the lab is able to generate a result they are automatically sent to the doctor to deliver your results.
The test is a home test kit via nasal/throat PCR swab, provided with free-post packaging for sending directly back to the laboratory for completion of the testing. Our testing supply and process is completely independent from any government processes, as such the sale of these tests does not limit any capacity for the government or in turn the NHS access to these tests.
The main symptoms are:
high temperature A new, continuous coughIf you are currently experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus, or know of recently being in contact with somebody who has, you are able to use the kit to test if you are currently infected.
The Covid-19 home collection test kit includes a nasal and throat swab which collect a sample of cells which is sent back to our laboratory for testing. The testing in the lab looks for the RNA of the virus using a technique called RT-PCR. RT-PCR tests work by detecting specific genetic material of the virus (RNA). By detecting viral RNA, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus.
The results will be available on our secure patient portal within 48-72 hours of receipt of your sample by the laboratory. You will receive an email prompting you to log in with your date of birth once the results are available.
No, these tests will not tell if you have previously been infected or whether you are currently immune, they will only tell you if you are currently infected. Once you have recovered the virus is eliminated and these tests can no longer tell if you've been infected.
All tests are analysed in a CPA accredited lab using PCR which is approved by Public Health England. Please note that it is not possible to guarantee that any test kit is 100% accurate and therefore there may be instances where results obtained from the test produces a false positive or negative even when used correctly.
We currently offer PCR swab testing kits from 2 UK laboratories:
£145 - Turnaround time 72 > 96 hours* from receipt at the lab. £195 - Turnaround time < 48 hours* from receipt at the lab.* Please be aware that while it is very likely we will receive the test results in the above time frames, we cannont guarantee the tunaround of results within a particular time frame.
It is always extremely important to be clear on the limitations of any testing carried out. As with all viral PCR assays, patients with very low viral loads are less likely to be detected. Negative results do not preclude infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and should not be the sole basis of a patient treatment/management. If there is a strong clinical suspicion of an early COVID-19 infection a further test should be considered 24-48 hours later.
Results should always be interpreted by a trained professional in conjunction with the patient's history and clinical signs and symptoms, and epidemiological risk factors.
Please contact us for more information or to arrange for us to send you your test kit.
Our admin hours are 08:30 to 17:00. However, you can book your test kit online now.
The Independent General Practice