Pre-departure PCR Test
with Fit To Travel Certificate
If you are experiencing a high fever, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell, our simple and painless home to lab PCR test will tell you if you’re infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
Swab your throat and nose and place the swab into the collection tube provided and send to our certified medical partner lab for analysis.
Collection method:
Number of biomarkers tested: 1
£69.99
You will be sent a PCR sampling kit which includes everything you need to take your sample and send to our testing laboratory with a postage paid mailing bag.
Each kit includes:
• Nasal & throat swab sample kit
• ISO 17025 UKAS accredited lab testing
• Results within 48 of sample being received at lab
• Email and text alerts to confirm your sample has arrived at the lab and when results are ready
• Royal Mail tracked 24 shipping labels
• Order by 3pm for same day dispatch Monday – Friday (excludes Bank Holidays)
You can order your tests in advance prior to your departure or arrival in the UK.
Delivery Options
– Kits dispatched the day before your arrival if ordered before 3pm Monday – Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)
– Kits sent by Royal Mail Tracked 24 service
– Orders placed after 3pm Friday will be dispatched on the following Monday
Sample Return Options
You can choose any of the following:
- Free Royal Mail Tracked 24 (included)
- Arrange your own courier (at customer expense)
- Drop off to lab (at customer expense)
1. Royal Mail Tracked 24 (included with each kit)
A free Royal Mail Tracked 24 returns label is included with every covid-19 kit to return your sample to our laboratory. You must return your sample using a Royal Mail priority post box. Please check the postbox collection time to avoid delays. The tracked 24 service is intended for next day delivery but this is not guaranteed by Royal Mail. This can take 1-2 working days. Please take note of your tracking number to check on the delivery status of your returned sample.
Please note, we cannot be held responsible for delays out of our control or lost samples.
Due to current delays we recommend using this service only if returning Monday-Friday.
Samples returned on Saturday after 11am & all day Sunday are expected to arrive at the lab on the following Tuesday.
Please note that your test can only be returned using Royal Mail priority postboxes. Do NOT take to a Post Office as they won’t accept and it may delay your sample.
Find your nearest Priority postboxes at:
www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
2. Arrange your own courier (at customer expense)
If you would prefer not to return your sample using the provided free Royal Mail Tracked 24 returns label, you can arrange your own courier to deliver your sample. The address for our lab is C/O Health Hub, Unit 6 Osyth Close, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton NN4 7DY.
3. Drop off to our laboratory (at customer expense)
If it is safe and you are able to do so, you can drop your sample off to the laboratory.
Our opening times for sample drop off are: 7 days a week 9am – 6pm
At the entrance of the building is a yellow bin labelled ‘Covid tests’. Please place your sample in the bin and our regular sample collection will pick this up. You do not need to meet anyone to do this. During the weekend please press the bell next to the shutter to advise the team you you are dropping a Covid sample off before placing this in the yellow bin labelled ‘Covid tests’ at the entrance of the building.
The laboratory address is:
C/O Health Hub, Unit 6 Osyth Close, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton NN4 7DY.
Please remember, if you are showing any Covid-19 symptoms to protect others, do not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital. Visit 111.nhs.uk for further information.
The test includes a UN3373 return bag and Royal Mail Tracked 24 return label. All you need to do is follow the instructions to seal your sample inside the bag.
Please note that all PCR tests can only be returned using Royal Mail priority postboxes. Priority postboxes are listed on the Royal Mail website at https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you
You may leave your house to post your test or to travel directly to and from a testing site. You should follow safer travel guidance and avoid public transport if possible.
Test results and Fit To Travel lab validated certificates are available online within 48 hours from when your sample is received by the lab. Please allow a total of 4-5 working days from placing your order to receiving your results.
You will be able to monitor your return shipping on the Royal Mail website. Please take a note of your tracking number before returning.
We will notify you by email and text message as soon as your sample arrive at the lab.
After lab testing is complete, you will be notified by email and text message when your results are ready.
They will be available through your secure dashboard. You will also be able to download in PDF format and print out your results.
Your test results will be described as negative, positive or unclear.
Our Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by RT-qPCR test is approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Our tests are performed by an ISO 17025 UKAS accredited lab supporting the NHS and healthcare industry. The Health Hub are a gov.uk approved private test provider.
Your information will be used for reporting positive test results to PHE only. We will hold this information for a period of one month in case the PHE need further information, after this time it will be deleted. If further clarification is required after this period we may need to request the information from you again.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
COVID PCR Tests
How long does it take to get my results once I send my sample back?
Once you have sent back your sample to our lab it will arrive there within 1 -2 days (excluding Sundays). Once it has arrived at our lab, they will then check in your sample. You will get an email confirmation of this and will receive results within 48hrs via email but typically 24hrs. Day 5 test results are ready in 24 hours from it being received in the lab.
How do I send my test back?
Each test includes a UN3373 return bag and a Royal Mail Tracked 24 return label. All you need to do is follow the instructions to seal your sample inside the bag and send it back to our laboratory.
Why are your tests so expensive?
Our tests are currently in line with most at home testing kit providers, but kits do vary in price depending on the source of kits and other factors.
Why do they need to be PCR and not lateral flow?
Lateral flow tests will not be able to be analysed for variants if positive, that is why they are not satisfactory.
Why do I have to pay for tests?
As travel back into the UK is a private matter, you must pay for your testing, individuals who need to travel due to the nature of their job are exempt from paid for testing in line with government guidance.
What is my booking ref?
The reference numbers are on your order confirmation email you will have received after purchasing and start with “HEALT”
Can I leave the house to return my swab sample?
You may leave your house to post your test or to travel directly to and from a testing site. You should follow safer travel guidance and avoid public transport if possible.
How do I find a priority post box?
Priority post boxes are listed on the Royal Mail website.
When will my test arrive?
We dispatch the test kit one day before your arrival in The UK. So you will receive it on the day of the arrival or the day after.
Where is your lab located?
Our PCR testing lab is at 6 Osyth Close, Brackmills Industrial Estate, Northampton, NN4 7DY. If you drop-off by 10am, you should have your results back by the end of the day but certainly within 24 hours.
Does my child need to be tested?
Children under 5 do not need to take the day-2 or day-8 test, however if you are opting for the test to release scheme they will need to take a day 5 test. You can find more information on the following link. When you complete your order you will receive an order confirmation email which will include your booking reference number for use on the passenger locator form, this will begin with HEALT.
How do I return my sample?
You have several options to return with us.
- Free Royal Mail Tracked 24 (1-2 working days to return if sent Monday – Friday or Saturday
morning) - Arrange your own courier
- Drop off to lab
How do I get my results?
Results will be available through your online dashboard but you will receive an email and text to notify you when they are ready.
How do I take my test?
Your kit will include instructions of the full process or you can watch our useful video explaining the process here.
