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You can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy if you're aged 12 years and over, and at highest risk of being seriously ill with COVID-19. The NHS will contact you if your records show you're at highest risk. Show people at highest risk. You may be at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you:
lateral flow test home kit. Test for COVID-19 from the comfort of your home with our selection of lateral flow test home kits. With prices starting from under £5, buy single COVID-19 tests and multi-packs and find the right solution to look after you and your loved ones. Plus, discover advice, products and more on our COVID-19 information page.
The NHS offers COVID-19 treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at risk of becoming seriously ill. It is currently estimated that around 3.9 million patients are potentially eligible for free lateral flow device (LFD) tests. Although access to LFD tests may be supplemented by other pathways, (for example, through anticipatory or specialist ...
If you work in healthcare settings or in a hospice, you may be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests. This will depend on your job role and if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Speak to your employer about how to get a test. GOV.UK: Managing healthcare staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 test result.
- Types of Test
- Sample Collection Kits
- Self-Testing
- Limitations of Covid-19 Tests
- Covid-19 Testing Services
- How Covid-19 Testing Is Regulated
- Reporting Problems with Covid-19 Tests Using The Yellow Card Scheme
Virus test
These tests, sometimes called swab or antigen tests, check to see if you are currently infected with the virus. The swab sample is taken from your nose and throat. Alternatively, a saliva sample might be used. This sample is then tested to see if you have the virus.
Antibody tests
These tests check for antibodies to see if you have had an infection with the virus in the past. This test requires a blood sample. This sample is then tested to see if you have had the virus in the past. Antibody tests are currently only offered to NHS and care staff, as well as some hospital patients and care home residents. They can also be bought privately, but it’s important to be aware of their limitations. These tests are not used for diagnosis but rather to give us a better understand...
A sample collection kit is the name given to the different parts of a COVID-19 test that help obtain a sample. This kit must have a valid CE, CE UKNI or UKCA markto show that the manufacturer has met the minimum safety and performance requirements for the product. The sample you have to provide, and whether or not you can collect that sample yourse...
A self-test kit is one in which you take a sample, test it yourself, and then read and interpret the results yourself as well. This is different from self-sampling. In that case, you take a sample at home and then you send it to a laboratory for testing.
There isn’t a test that is 100% reliable, even those who meet regulatory standards for performance and safety. The results are also only valid for that specific sample at that point in time. If you are unsure what a test result means, or what you should or should not do when you received your test result, you should first contact the test provider ...
Virus tests are available from the NHS Test and Trace programme. Some UK employers, occupational health and other private healthcare providers also may offer tests. More information on private testing and private providers is also available if you click on the links. For private testing, click here. For private providers, click here. Antibody tests...
Sample collection kits and the COVID-19 tests are medical devices. For a medical device to be safe to use, it must have a valid CE, CE UKNI or UKCA mark. These marks are a declaration by the manufacturer that the test meets the required standards of safety and performance. These regulatory requirements aim to ensure that the products do not comprom...
If you have any problems with COVID-19 testing products, you should report them as soon as you can. This can help us to identify any potential issues with the kits. Details on what and how to report are outlined below.
Testing for COVID-19 Find out who can get free tests, how to get tested, and what your test result means. Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests
• Store the test kit away from children and animals. • The test kit should be stored at temperatures between 2 - 30 °C. DO NOT FREEZE. • Do not use the test after the use-by date printed on the sealed pouch. • Test should be performed at temperature range 15 - 30 °C. Safely dispose of your test kit.
