Amidst calls for more Covid-19 PCR testing, Well Pharmacy today launched of a brand new in-pharmacy and online test to offer communities and patients in UK “choice and reassurance during the pandemic”.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing service – available to adults and children over 12 years without Covid-19 symptoms – can be bought online with a guaranteed next day delivery for orders made before 5pm or done in-pharmacy at the 30 Well branches across England, Scotland and Wales for the price of £120.
Well launched the service testing after a survey it conducted revealed that a fifth of the people who tried to get a free NHS Covid test for themselves or their family experienced difficulties, while nearly one in every ten people were unsuccessful in their attempt to secure one.
Well’s study also showed that many people were likely to need a test with more than one in every three people being likely, or very likely, to require a test for work, holiday, education, or a forthcoming family event.
Additionally, with Christmas round the corner, over half of those surveyed said they would look to get together with their family this Christmas. Over a tenth said they were prepared to pay for a private test that would enable them to offer reassurance to their families.
Nigel Swift, Operations Director of Well Pharmacy commented: “As the free NHS Covid-19 Test can only be used for people who have coronavirus symptoms, we’re offering a convenient way of accessing reassurance and peace of mind to customers who have no symptoms of the virus.
“By launching this service in our local pharmacies, we hope to give confidence to more people in our communities to be safe and healthy, whilst enabling them to go about their lives and work where possible. I am enormously proud of all our community pharmacy teams and colleagues who have adapted to work in a Covid-secure way and continue to provide outstanding patient care during the pandemic.”
Patients needing the in-pharmacy service would be invited to fill out an online pre-screening questionnaire to make sure they are not displaying any symptoms of the virus and follow the instructions to book an appointment through the Well website. A Pharmacist will facilitate the swab test in Well’s private consultation room, package the swab and send it to a laboratory to be tested, with results usually available within two working days of receipt by the lab.
