Dr Anshu Bhagat, GPDQ’s Chief Medical Officer, provides answers to some of the most common questions from employers, with the nation in the midst of a COVID-19 testing crisis.
As an NHS partner, GPDQ has provided COVID-19 support to over 1m patients nationwide, working with businesses and schools to safeguard their staff.
With increasing pressure on the government’s testing programme, reduced availability and delays in patients’ results, GPDQ has a complete set of solutions from at home tests to clinician visits for homes and offices. The tests can be carried out by the employees who are with or without symptoms and results delivered in 48-72 hours, ensuring a swift return to work.
Every day lost in the workplace awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test has a damaging effect on both business and the country’s welfare, so it’s more critical than ever before that employers are proactive in supporting their staff with access to testing.
Q1 HOW DO I KNOW IF ME OR MY EMPLOYEES NEED A TEST?
If your employees experience; a fever, persistent cough or loss of smell or taste, they must immediately self-isolate and get a COVID-19 PCR swab test.
Asymptomatic patients may also need to ascertain whether or not they are carrying the virus, especially if they have been in contact with a symptomatic individual. Our COVID-19 tests detect the virus with or without symptoms, so employers can identify and contain workplace outbreaks.
Q2 WHAT TESTS ARE AVAILABLE?
GPDQ test to see if a patient is currently infected with COVID-19 using a PCR Swab Test, which is the standard method deployed within the NHS. Our accredited UK laboratories provide results in 48-72 hours, and all positive tests are notified to Public Health England and followed up by a GP telephone consultation.
Q3 HOW CAN I TAKE THE PCR TEST?
We offer a choice of clinician-administered and self-administered testing. Advantages of the former include a greater level of certainty that the sample has been taken correctly.
- Clinician-administered at the workplace. We dispatch a clinician to the workplace, where multiple samples can be taken efficiently, for example when running large scale routine testing or to manage tracing. This is suitable for asymptomatic patients only.
- Clinician-administered at employee’s home. We operate a nationwide home visiting service to swab patients in the comfort of their own home. This is available for symptomatic as well as asymptomatic patients.
- Clinician-administered in-clinic. We have a network of clinics in major urban areas where asymptomatic patients can come to be swabbed.
- Self-administered. We dispatch a test to the patient’s home address for self-administration. Tests dispatched to a home address are sent via Royal Mail or courier along with detailed instructions for use. Samples are then packaged in the return envelope provided and sent to the laboratory for analysis. This is suitable for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Book tests today here: https://workplacehealth.live/FE1
Q4 ARE YOUR TESTS ACCURATE?
These tests are rated on their ‘sensitivity’ – their ability to identify those with infection, and their ‘specificity’ or ability to identify those without infection. The PCR shows a minimum sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%.
Q5 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
- Self-administered PCR swab test – £129
- Clinician administered PCR swab test – £199
- Regular on-site PCR swab testing – price dependent upon requirements
Book tests today here: https://workplacehealth.live/FE1
GPDQ has extensive experience of delivering specialist COVID-19 and testing services for the NHS, local authorities and large private sector organisations. Our healthcare professionals are here to help employers throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond. All services and tests are delivered with clinical guidance to provide reassurance when you need it most.
To find out more, please visit our website: https://workplacehealth.live/FE1