[Withdrawn] Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure
Updated 8 March 2022
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/testing-for-coronavirus-before-hospital/testing-for-covid-19-before-a-hospital-procedure
You must do your coronavirus (COVID-19) swab test exactly 3 days before the day of your procedure, which you can find on your hospital letter.
Who can take the test
The test is suitable for the following people:
- adults aged 18 and over: self-test (unless unable to do so)
- teenagers aged 12 to 17: self-test with adult supervision
- children 11 and under: adult to test (see instructions on how to test a child)
Checklist: what you need to do and by when
It’s very important that you take the time to understand and complete the steps at the correct times.
1. Check the test kit contents
Do this as soon as you receive your test kit.
2. Find your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox or contact 0800 0511 811 to book a courier as soon you receive your test kit
Do this as soon as you receive your test kit and follow the instructions on section 6.
3 to 5. Prepare, take and package the swab sample
At 7am, 3 days before your procedure.
6. Post your completed test kit or await courier collection
On the day you take your test, if using a priority postbox, post by midday.
7. Get the test result by text
You should get a text by 12pm 1 day before your procedure.
Timetable: what you need to do and by when
Use the table below to note the day of your procedure and look down the table to find out which days you need to complete each of the steps.
| Day of your procedure | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days before the day of your procedure (steps 3, 4, 5 and 6) | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thur |
1. Check the test kit contents
-
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
-
Clean and dry a surface and place the home test kit contents on it.
-
Check test kit contents.
If anything is broken or missing, call the hospital where you are having the procedure as soon as possible and they can order another test kit for you.
Your test kit should contain:
- swab, inside sealed wrapper
- plastic tube, containing a small amount of liquid. The liquid must stay in the tube
- white absorbent pad
- leak-proof bag
- return box, with pre-paid Royal Mail return label
- security seal, for the return box
2. Find your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox or contact 0800 0511 811 to book a courier
It is very important that the day before you take your sample, you check collection times at your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox. You need to post your completed test kit by midday.
As soon as you receive your test kit, check collection times at your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox. You need to post your completed test kit by midday.
As weekend and bank holiday collection times may differ from weekdays, it is important to look at collection times for the day you will be sending back your test (3 days before the day of procedure). If you can’t locate a priority postbox with a collection on that day, book a courier using the number below.
To check collection times at your nearest Royal Mail priority postbox:
- Go to Royal Mail: services near you
- Click the ‘Show my nearest priority postboxes’ tickbox
- Enter the postcode of where you’re staying and select the address
- View priority postboxes near you and check the collection times
If you are unable to post your kit in a priority postbox
Contact 0800 0511 811 to book a courier as soon as you receive your test kit.
To book your courier, call 0800 0511 811 as soon as you receive your test kit, between 8am and 6pm.
Your courier will arrive between 8am and 6pm on the day of collection.
If you are returning your test using a courier, take your test by 7am on the day of collection to give yourself enough time before the courier arrives.
More information on booking a courier is included below.
3. Prepare to do the test on yourself or someone else
Take your test by 7am at the latest on the day you will post your kit, 3 days before your procedure, to give yourself enough time to post your sample.
Prepare to take the sample
Avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes before doing the test to reduce the risk of spoiling the test.
Taking the test may feel a little uncomfortable and unusual.
If you are doing the test on a child or someone else, talk through the steps together. Remain calm and confident as you go through the process.
Watch a video showing how to take a swab test. The following video shows how to take a UK home test. Exact models may vary.
Watch a video showing how to test a child.
Watch how to do a swab test on a child
Tips for testing a child:
- contact the hospital where the procedure will take place if you cannot do the test
- try to explain the test to the child in words they can understand
- some children may feel more comfortable sitting on a caregiver’s lap
Get more advice about COVID-19 in children,
4. Take the swab sample
1. Look inside the mouth and find the tonsils (or the area where they would be if you do not have them) at the back of the throat. This is where you’ll take the swab sample. You can use a torch and a mirror to help you.
If testing someone else, ask them to say ‘ahhhh’ loudly for 5 seconds, so that you can see their tonsils.
Tip for a child: If you cannot swab their tonsils, swab both of their nostrils for 10 to 15 seconds instead. The result may be less accurate.
2. Gently blow the nose and cough into a tissue so excess mucus does not spoil the test. Throw the tissue away in a closed bin.
3. Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds using soap and warm water before handling the test kit to avoid contaminating it.
4. Open the package and gently take out the swab. You will need to use this for both tonsils and nose.
Try not to touch your tongue, teeth, cheeks, gums, or any other surfaces with the swab’s fabric tip, as this may spoil your sample. If this does happen, complete and return the test anyway.
5. Holding the swab between your fingers, open the mouth wide and gently rub the swab’s fabric tip over both tonsils at the back of the throat. Do this with firm contact 4 times on each side.
Use a torch and mirror to help you.
If testing someone else, get them to say ‘ahhh’ loudly while you take the sample.
When the swab touches the tonsils, it may cause some gagging or brief discomfort, but it should not hurt.
6. Put the same end of the same swab gently into the nostril about 2.5cm (1 inch) or until you feel some resistance. Roll the swab firmly around the inside of the nostril, making 10 complete circles and slowly remove it. If you or they have a nose-piercing, use the other nostril.
This may feel uncomfortable. Do not insert the swab any deeper if there’s a feeling of strong resistance or pain.
7. Screw the lid off the plastic tube, while keeping it upright so the liquid stays inside. Take care not to let the fabric tip touch anything. Put the swab into it with the fabric tip facing down.
8. Snap off the stick end of the swab, so that it fits inside the tube without bending.
9. Securely screw the lid on so no liquid can leak.
The liquid must stay in the tube.
5. Package the test kit
Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds using soap and warm water.
Make sure the barcodes on the plastic tube and the leak-proof bag match. Place the absorbent pad into the leak-proof bag. Put the tube next to the absorbent pad in the same bag.
Let some air out of the leak-proof bag and then seal it using its adhesive seal.
Follow the assembly instructions on the return box. If you can, wipe down the bag and box with an antiseptic wipe. Put the leak-proof bag into the box and close the box.
Apply the security seal as directed.
Take a picture or note of the barcode on your Royal Mail return label for reference.
If you need help, call 0800 0511 811.
6. Post your completed test kit or await your courier collection
Post the completed test kit 3 days before the day of your procedure by 12pm and no later than one hour before the last collection time (weekend and bank holiday collection times may differ from weekdays).
Only use a Royal Mail priority postbox with the label and one of the NHS regional logos.
Follow the government’s social distancing guidelines, wear a mask and do not take public transport. You must not enter any Post Office with your test kit.
Find your nearest priority postbox and its collection times.
Track your delivery using your Royal Mail return label barcode.
Giving a completed test kit box to the courier
Three days before the day of your procedure. This is only required if you are unable to post your kit through a priority postbox.
Your courier will arrive between 8am and 6pm on the day of collection, the day you take your test, 3 days before the day of your procedure.
Make sure you are ready with your completed test during this time. Do not place the return box outside until the courier arrives. Do not take the return box to the Post Office.
The courier will knock on your door or ring your doorbell and then move at least 2 metres away.
After they move away, open your door, place the return box outside and then close the door.
The courier will deliver your test kit box to a laboratory.
If your test kit is not collected by 6pm or you missed your courier, call 0800 0511 811.
7. Get test result by text
You will receive your result by text before 12pm the day before your procedure.
Your hospital will also get the result by email.
If you do not receive your result by then, call your hospital.
What to do after getting your result
If the result is negative, please continue to self-isolate and visit the hospital on the day of your procedure.
If your result is positive or unclear, call your hospital to discuss what to do next.
Have you been harmed or had a reaction while using this kit?
If you are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, report injuries and reactions.
Only use this website to report injuries and reactions.
Scotland
If you are in Scotland, please use the NHS Scotland website to report injuries and reactions. You can also call 0131 275 7575.
Get help if you’re worried
Visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if:
- you, or someone you live with, gets worse over the next few days or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
- you’re worried about a baby or child who is ill
Call 999 in a medical emergency, if:
- you think there’s something seriously wrong
- the baby or child seems very unwell or is getting worse
Do not delay getting help if you’re worried. Trust your instincts.
Check if you have COVID-19 symptoms and find out what to do next.
If you need help with your test kit
If you have any questions about your COVID-19 test kit, or require help booking a courier, please call 0800 0511 811 between 7am and 11pm
Help and contact details
COVID-19 in children
Get more advice about COVID-19 in children.
Contact phone number
If you have any questions about your COVID-19 test kit, or if you want to book a courier, call 0800 0511 811.
Lines are open 7am to 11pm every day (free for mobiles and landlines).