Lateral Flow Test Liverpool (Antigen Testing)

Antigen test for travel (Liverpool)

Completing regular tests for coronavirus is one of the main ways to stop the spread of the virus and help everyday life go back to normality. If you think you have any symptoms of Covid-19, including a new or continuous cough, loss of taste or smell, or a high temperature, it is recommended that you stay home and get tested.

However, tests are now needed for more reasons than just if you have symptoms, as government agencies find ways to maintain the health and safety of the communities and people who live in them. You will be required to get private antigen tests if:

• You are fully vaccinated and travelling to England from a green list country.
• You are unvaccinated, and you are travelling to or from England a pre-departure rapid antigen test will be needed within 72 hours of your departure time.
• You are returning to work after illness or working from home and need to show a clean bill of health.
• You are going to a social event or larger gatherings of people.

You may also decide to get an antigen test in Liverpool for your own peace of mind if you are worried about your health or the health of those around you.

New changes to travel requirements coming into effect mean that if your antigen test is required for travel to England, then you must get your test through an accredited private medical practice, you cannot use the NHS tests.

PCR testing for flights

Prior to travelling, you should check the country and airline guidelines and ensure you have all of the necessary documents and tests and that you get them within the right time frame. An old test will not be accepted for a flight, so you should be sure that you get your fit-to-fly travel certificate as close to your flight as possible to avoid delays or cancellations.

Flight testing cannot be completed by the NHS, and you will be required to provide a negative test result from a private healthcare provider. Ghosh Medical Group can offer your private antigen tests to make the process as easy and accessible for you as possible.

What is antigen testing?

A coronavirus antigen test works by detecting Covid-19 proteins in the mouth and throat. The test will determine whether you are currently infected with Covid-19. Antigen testing is a suitable ‘first line of defence’ test against coronavirus, especially in individuals who are showing symptoms, as it is a quick and easy test in comparison to other approaches. It normally takes around 15-30 minutes for the result.

Antigen tests are a fast and efficient way to travel safely both to and from England.

At Ghosh Medical Group we have processed thousands of coronavirus antigen tests and provided certificates for those wanting to travel back to the UK from abroad.

We provide as much information about our tests and their suitability for destination countries as possible, but coronavirus and the rules surrounding it are rapidly changing and countries might alter their entry requirements at short notice and without any prior warning. This means that we cannot accept liability for costs incurred if your destination country or airlines refuses to accept our test or certificate.

A lot of covid tests can take days for results to arrive and finding a testing site can be difficult.  The only way you can be completely certain of secure, fast results in an easy location is to use a private clinic.

Ghosh Medical is a fully accredited and equipped private medical service provider offering an array of Covid tests, including the Rapid Flow Antigen Test in Liverpool. We offer both in-clinic testing and at-home testing with all safety measures in place to make you feel safe and comfortable during the test. Our medical staff are friendly, professional, and experienced and will ensure the highest quality of care.

With Lateral flow tests, you can find out your results quickly and easily to give you total peace of mind. The test is easy to take and will be completed by one of our staff and your results will be available on the same day. This means you won’t need to worry about taking time off work or cancelling plans while you wait for results.

How does a Lateral Flow Test Work?

The lateral flow test works by looking for the live Covid virus in a sample of fluid from your nose or mouth. It is used to detect the virus when the viral load in your body is at its peak. The test is 99.68% accurate when carried out by trained medical professionals.

To take the test, we will use a long swab to take a sample from the back of your throat and nose. Taking the sample isn’t painful, but it is often uncomfortable and may make you gag. Any discomfort you experience will pass as soon as the swab is removed.

The swab with the sample is then placed in a testing solution and mixed to properly combine the sample and the solution. Three drops of the combined solution are then applied to a test strip and results are available within 30 minutes.

Testing for Individuals or Groups

We understand that life has been interrupted enough and we want to help you get back to normal. We offer lateral flow tests for both groups and individuals so that you can look after yourself, your family, a team, or a workforce. Fast testing and quick results means you can get back to work sooner and not lose time to waiting.

If you are responsible for large groups of workers then you will need to ensure their health and safety. The easiest way to protect your workforce from the virus is through regular rapid flow testing.

For large workforces, please contact us so we can make the relevant arrangements to supply enough testing kits.

Benefits of the Lateral Flow Test

• Rapidly detects the live Coronavirus in your body
• Non-invasive test with no needles or blood
• Detects proteins that are only present in COVID-10, meaning more accurate results and fewer “false positives”
• Results within 30 minutes
• Suitable for individuals with or without symptoms
• 99.68% accuracy

Understanding your Results

There are three possible results from a lateral flow test:

• Negative
• Positive
• Inconclusive

A negative result means that you do not have the live virus and it is highly unlikely that you have COVID-19. You can return to work and normal life activities (within government guidelines), but continue to stay safe by maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands frequently.

If you have a positive result, it means the test has identified live virus cells in your body. You probably have COVID-19 and you should start self-isolating immediately. You should also alert those you have been in close contact with so that they can take a test and ensure they are not also carrying the virus.

An inconclusive result is rare but means the test could not be carried out properly for some reason. There may have been a problem with the sample or the test. For accurate results you will need to take the test again.

Booking your Antigen Test (Liverpool)

Ghosh Medical has a long history of screening and testing, performed by senior medical clinicians, and with accurate results. Our experience and expertise mean that you can have complete confidence in your test and results. You will also have a chance to speak to a highly skilled medical professional about any concerns you may have or about tailored solutions for safety and protection, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

Book online now or call 0333 200 3338 to set up an appointment or ask any questions.

How soon from my flight should I take my Antigen test?

The period of time from your flight and when you should take your PCR swab test or antigen test will depend on your particular airline and their rules so check with them first. Test results can take up to 48 hours (but can be as little as 12 hours) to come back from the lab, so you need to allow sufficient time for that and for any certification about your eligibility to fly to be prepared for you.

Do I need to take a test even if I have no symptoms?

Covid-19 is a virus that some people can carry without displaying any symptoms - they are what is known as ‘asymptomatic’. This being without symptoms is more common among young people, but does affect older adults, and is one of the very reasons that tests before flying make sense.

Can I do my coronavirus test myself at home?

While it is possible to purchase home testing kits, at Ghosh Medical Group, we want you to have the confidence that the results of your test are accurate and that any certificate we issue relates to the correct individual. This is why we carry out all covid-19 tests personally via one of our CQC registered healthcare professionals who will take your sample before it is sent off for analysis.

What do I do if my coronavirus test is negative?

A negative test means that you were not infected with coronavirus when you took the test, so you will be able to stick to your travel plans. Be sure to take your fit to fly certificate with you to ensure smooth entry into certain countries and avoid the need to quarantine.

What do I do if my coronavirus test is positive?

If the results of your covid test are positive then you and your household should isolate and all the people that you have been in contact with up to 2 days before you developed symptoms should be contacted, so that these people can be aware and get tested themselves if they show symptoms of Covid-19. You will need to cancel your travel plans.

How do I know if my destination requires me to undertake a Covid-19 test before flying?

The situation with Covid-19 is a rapidly changing one and the rules imposed by airlines and countries vary and can quickly change. We recommend that you ask your airline for specific advice and check the advice provided by the Foreign Office for your destination.

What should I do if I start to display covid-19 symptoms before travel?

If you have symptoms of Covid-19 then you should not travel. Some airlines carry out temperature and other checks on people before they travel so it is possible that you would be detected at this point. Airlines are within their rights to refuse to allow anyone to travel if they suspect they have symptoms such as a high temperature or a persistent new cough.

COVID-19 PCR Testing Online Booking

You can now book your test online via the following link but please note:

• All Covid bookings must be before 5pm
• We are not liable for any government changes affecting the appointments for Covid 19 tests after you purchase
• We cannot issue a refund after a day 2 reference number has been sent or used

Should a convenient time not be available please contact a member of the team.

Please read our Terms and Conditions for the Provision of Covid-19 Testing Services