NHS Covid-19 Antibody Testing

Posted on June 8th, 2020

NHS is at the beginning of the antibody testing programme. The NHS is currently prioritising NHS staff and Care Home staff.

While the results of an antibody test will not allow people to make any changes to their behaviour, such as easing social distancing measures, there’s clear value in knowing whether NHS and care workers and hospital patients and care home residents have had the virus, and is collecting data on the test results.

Currently at Hampton Hill Medical Centre we are not routinely offering the test for the following reasons:

• We must prioritise NHS staff, Care Home staff and Care Home residents (guidance from .gov website)
• We are still trying to minimise footfall through the Practice to protect staff and those patients who MUST be seen face to face. We are only seeing patients face to face for essential reasons and doing an antibody test is not essential (as per NHSE standard operating procedures)
• If you are attending for an urgent or essential blood test ( as defined by your Doctor or Nurse) we can offer to add the antibody test.

This guidance may change so please look at our website for further information. Please do not telephone the Practice to ask for an antibody test.