Treatments over the Easter break

Keep up to date with our delivery, collection and our customer service hours. Find out more.

Coronavirus testing - COVID-19 swab home test kit
  • Includes free delivery
  • Results will be available online in 2-3 working days 
  • You can download a copy of your results in the 'Documents' section of your Patient Record

Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR swab test kit

The coronavirus (COVID-19) swab test kit, sometimes called a PCR test, can be used at home to see if you have COVID-19. This test is the same as the ones used by the NHS, and is CE-marked and approved for sale in the UK. 

This test is suitable for anyone who needs to know if they currently have the virus.

Advice for travellers
We do not recommend you use our service for outbound travel purposes.  We cannot guarantee you will receive your results within 72 hours.  The downloadable copy of your results does not include personal information which some airlines and countries require for travel (passport number).

Taking a COVID PCR swab test on your return will confirm whether or not you currently have COVID-19.

Test kits and results
Your test kit will have everything you need to collect your sample.  And we provide free delivery, prepaid postage and packing to send your samples back to our partner lab for analysis. 

You’ll receive your results within an estimated 3 working days after our partner lab receives your sample, but it could take longer. 

Once your results are ready, you’ll be able to view these securely online in your patient record and you’ll have access to a downloadable copy of your results in the ‘Documents’ section of your patient record. See what a downloadable copy of your results looks like

In stock

Coronavirus testing - COVID-19 swab home test kit

Test kits suitable for adults aged 18 and over only. Our test kits are for personal use only, and must not be ordered for anyone else.

Strength
Pack size
Returning patient? Reorder
  • Includes free delivery
  • Results will be available online in 2-3 working days 
  • You can download a copy of your results in the 'Documents' section of your Patient Record

How our COVID-19 home test kit service works

  1. Request your test kit online and receive it by post.

  2. Take the test using the instructions provided. Lateral flow test users will get their result within 15 minutes. If you’re taking a PCR or antibody test, package up your sample and send it back to the lab.

    Free to send back to the lab if needed ​​​​​​​​​​​

  3. View or download your PCR or antibody results from your Patient Record. We’ll let you know as soon as they are ready by email or text.

    PCR and antibody results are available an estimated three working days from the lab receiving your sample. This timeline is an estimate and it could take longer.  

What our patients say

How does this COVID-19 test work?

When your test kit arrives you’ll find a swab which you can use to collect a sample from your mouth and nose. Your sample is sent to our partner lab, where it will be tested for signs of the virus. If the result is positive, the test will indicate you currently have COVID-19.

Watch the video to find out more. 

About the COVID-19 PCR test

  • Our COVID-19 test kits are fully regulated

    • Sampling kits are CE-marked, meaning they conform to European standards for medical testing
    • They are legal to supply in the UK
    • The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) provides UK-accredited medical services globally. 
  • Do I need a COVID-19 swab test?

    If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss/change to your sense of taste and/or smell) you might want to get tested for the virus. The same goes for you if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s got the virus or has symptoms. You don’t have to have symptoms yourself to get a test. 

  • Who can use this COVID-19 swab test?

    Test kits are suitable for adults aged 18 and over. Our test kits are for personal use only, and must not be ordered for somebody else, including your children. 

    You will be limited to one test kit per person at one time. 

  • Can I get a downloadable copy of my results?

    Once your results are ready you can view and download your results from the ‘Documents’ section of your Patient Record.

    Advice for travellers
    We do not recommend you use our service for outbound travel purposes. We cannot guarantee you will receive your results within 72 hours. The downloadable copy of your results does not include personal information such as your passport number.

    Taking a COVID PCR swab test on your return will confirm whether or not you currently have COVID-19.

  • How does this COVID-19 test work?

    When your test kit arrives you’ll find a swab which you can use to collect a sample from your mouth and nose. Your sample is sent to our partner lab, where it will be tested for signs of the virus. If the result is positive, the test will indicate you currently have COVID-19.

  • How do I take the COVID-19 swab test?

    You will need to insert the swab into your mouth and nose, carefully following the instructions we’ve provided in your test kit. Place your sample into the packaging provided and send it back to our partner lab using the prepaid postage that comes with your kit. 

    Your sample can only be posted in Royal Mail priority post boxes in the UK. This makes sure your sample will be handled with care and get to our partner lab as a priority. Find out where your local one is.

    We’ve created a handy step-by-step guide for using the COVID-19 swab test kit (see below).

Instructions for using COVID-19 swab test

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 1

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 2

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 3

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 4

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 5

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 6

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 7

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 8

  • COVID-19 swab test infographic step 9

  • Step 10 COVID-19 swab test infographic

  • Step 11 COVID-19 swab test instructions

  • Step 12 COVID-19 swab test instructions

  • Step 13 COVID-19 swab test instructions

On this page

    Frequently asked questions

    On this page

    Does this COVID-19 test tell me if I have COVID-19 or if I've had it before?

    The COVID-19 swab test will tell you if you currently have COVID-19, not if you have been infected in the past. 

    When will my home testing kit arrive?

    Your test kit will arrive within an estimated 2 working days of your order being approved by our clinicians.

    Where can I post my sample back to the lab?

    Your sample must be posted in a Royal Mail priority post box in the UK. This ensures your sample will be handled with care and get to our partner lab as a priority. Find out more about priority post boxes and where your local one is.

    How long does it take to get coronavirus test results?

    Once the lab has received your sample, it usually takes up to an estimated 3 working days from when you receive a message from us confirming we have received your sample for processing. This timeline is an estimate and it could take our lab longer to process your results.

    How will I receive my COVID-19 test results?

    We'll send you a text or email as soon as your results are ready. You can view your results in your Patient Record. You’ll also be able to access a downloadable certificate of your results in the ‘Documents’ section. 

    Can I get a paper copy of my results?

    You can download and print your results in the ‘Documents’ section of your Patient Record as soon as they are ready. You can print this to get a paper copy of your results. 

    Advice for travellers
    We do not recommend you use our service for outbound travel purposes. We cannot guarantee you will receive your results within 72 hours. The downloadable copy of your results does not include personal information such as your passport number.

    Taking a COVID PCR swab test on your return will confirm whether or not you currently have COVID-19.

    Can I get a COVID-19 swab test in-store?

    Yes, our colleagues at MASTA and LloydsPharmacy are offering in-store testing. Find out more by visiting the:

    What are the different possible results from the COVID-19 swab test?

    There are 3 possible outcomes from the COVID-19 swab test - a positive result, negative result or an inconclusive result. An inconclusive result is often due to a poor sample or because the swab has been damaged. So it’s really important to follow the instructions provided in the test kit carefully. If this happens, don’t worry, we’ll send another test out to you free of charge.

    Can you get a false negative COVID test?

    There is the possibility of a false negative result. This means a test result can come back as negative when a person is positive. This can be due to low levels of the virus at different stages of the disease. This test is more helpful to confirm the presence of the infection, rather than to give you the ‘all-clear’.

    Can you get a false positive COVID test?

    Right now, it’s not known how long the test will continue to give a positive result after recovery. This means there’s a chance of a false positive result. 

    Will I be able to speak to someone about my COVID-19 test results?

    If you have a question about the outcome of your COVID-19 test, please send us a message in your Patient Record.

    Close
    LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor

    This service operates in the United Kingdom only

    Close
    LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor

    This service operates in the United Kingdom only

    Visit IE Online Doctor Continue with UK service
    Close
    LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor

    This service operates in the Republic of Ireland only

    Continue with Irish Service Continue with UK Service