40 Wilbury Road, Hove, BN3 3JP, UK
Private General Practice Call Now: 01273 733 830
Brighton and Hove Rapid COVID-19 RT - PCR Tests
Same Day COVID-19 PCR Test Results
We believe we offer amongst the fastest turn-around for RT-PCR COVID-19 test results in the country, normally, with same day results .
See our recent same-day result times here.
The RT-PCR COVID-19 test is considered the "Gold Standard" for COVID-19 detection and is the bench-mark used by the majority of international authorities including the UK Government. We do not offer lateral flow or LAMP testing due to their greater likelihood of giving an incorrect result.
Our rapid result tests can be used for Immigration, International travel, Test To Release and non-official purposes (such as testing before visiting vulnerable individuals or business use).
We do not offer Day 2 or 8 testing.
The Hove Practice is CQC registered and on the DHSC list of approved providers for COVID-19 testing for your peace of mind.
See "How your test will be performed" below for more information.
Booking Information
Arrange Your Appointment Today
Appointments can be booked online, alternatively please either:
Call: 01273 733830
Rapid COVID-19 PCR Testing At The Hove Practice
How Your Test Will Be Performed
Our rapid, same day, turnaround is possible if the tests are completed and returned before 10.45am on the day they are performed. Generally, we provide results in the form of a certificate by email before Midnight on the same day.
We can not guarantee same day results or results by a certain time due to the uncertainties involved in COVID testing (fluctuating demand, courier delays, sudden laboratory changes and potential issues with a sample) but will always endeavour to provide them as quickly as possible. See our recent result timings here.
We offer test appointments from 09.00 hours each weekday (Saturday: 09.30-10.45 am). The swab is sent directly to the laboratory via courier at 10.45 am. If you can not perform the test before that time (due to the timing of your flight, or conflicts in your diary), it will be securely stored and sent the following day (apart from Sundays) and the result should be available by Midnight that evening*.
After you have booked your test you will receive a series of emails including a registration form which must be completed and returned in advance of your appointment.
On the day of your test
We will welcome you to our practice, verify your identification (Original passport or driver's licence) and provide the testing equipment on the appropriate day and time for your test to be valid.
Due to the potential implications of a positive COVID-19 test upon our staff and other patients, NO COVID-19 RT-PCR tests are performed on the premises.
We provide instructions and support for you to perform the test in your home or vehicle in order to be returned in time for our courier collection (10.45am).
Tests returned after this collection time should receive their results by midnight the following evening.
Along with our diagrammatic instructions for how to perform the COVID-19 PCR test included in your booking confirmation emails, please also see this video from Public Health England for advice using a similar test kit.
*Please note, when delays to results rarely occur, they are outside of our control and are not grounds for a refund. Once a swab has been performed it is non-refundable. You must agree to this in order to book a test with us.
COVID-19 PCR Day 2 & Day 8 Testing
We do not offer Day 2 or Day 8 testing nor do we offer lateral flow or LAMP testing. We will update this section of our website if this changes.
COVID-19 RT - PCR For Test To Release
Using The Test To Release Scheme
UPDATED Following Government rule changes: 04/10/21
Test to Release is optional but can be used to reduce the length of quarantine following arrival in the UK from non-red list countries for unvaccinated individuals. It is not necessary for vaccinated individuals to use this option.
Please see here for further information on Test To Release.
Legally, it can not be performed until on or after Day 5 following arrival in England and is for travellers who have not been in or through any country that is on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before arrival in England. We are unable to release the test any earlier than Day 5.
Day of Arrival in England - Earliest Possible Day of Test (TTR)
- Monday - Saturday
- Tuesday- Sunday (Not currently available)
- Wednesday - Monday
- Thursday - Tuesday
- Friday - Wednesday
- Saturday - Thursday
- Sunday - Friday
Passenger Locator Form reference number:
Please book your test first. We will then provider you with a passenger locator form reference number as soon as possible within working hours (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm). The Government require you to provide us with the PLF reference number before we can give you your test kit.
Cost for Rapid COVID-19 RT PCR Testing service:
Test To Release RT-PCR (unobserved self-swab), verification of photographic identification with signed and certified pdf result document by email (hard copies are available on request at no additional charge): £150
Important Information:
The Hove Practice can not accept any responsibility for delays or expenses incurred as a result of receiving your result outside of the quoted timescales or the submission of an invalid/inconclusive sample or a positive swab result.
We will endeavour to provide the result according to the estimated timescales but are unable to control for rare events that may affect the courier or laboratory which may affect our estimated timescales without warning. We advise you book your test to be taken as early as your circumstances allow.
By booking a PCR test through the Hove Practice you acknowledge and accept that The Hove Practice can not be held responsible for the consequences of a delayed, invalid/inconclusive or positive result at this extremely challenging time.
Once a swab has been performed, it is non-refundable.
All patients purchasing these tests must use their own judgment regarding the best date to purchase, perform and return the test to us/post it to the laboratory. The Hove Practice can not advise on, and do not take any responsibility for, any test timings and their associated outcomes including (but not limited to) the effect on travel, business or personal plans. Please ensure you follow Government advice if you are concerned you may be symptomatic of COVID-19.
All COVID-19 PCR test results, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are automatically reported to Public Health England by our laboratory partner. Like all other providers, we are legally obliged to report this result and registration information to the police if requested.
Cancellation fee notice:
We understand that your travel plans may change suddenly in these uncertain times. To reflect this, cancellation of a test will only incur a £25 administration fee for the whole affected party, whether 1 individual or more. We ask that you provide us with as much notice as possible as there are likely other patients and travellers in need of your appointment.
COVID-19 RT - PCR For Travel, Immigration & Official testing
Travel and Immigration COVID-19 PCR Testing at The Hove Practice
Most international countries currently require a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 result before travel.
We have successfully provided this essential service to travellers since June 2020 and are amongst the most well-established and experienced providers on the South Coast.
Please look at your requirements closely (i.e. you may need the test performed 72-96 hours prior to your flight’s departure). Some airlines will allow you to produce an emailed certificate, others may require a paper copy. The latter means that you will need to allow time before your flight to print your result or collect a free printed copy from the practice during our weekday opening hours (9am-6pm). Please contact your airline directly to confirm your specific requirements.
Timing Your Swab:
We regret that we are unable to advise you regarding the precise timing of your swab as this will be dependent on your specific airline. We recommend you arrange your swab as early as your travel allows to avoid any unforeseen issues or the opportunity to repeat your swab in case of an (extremely rare) invalid result.
Cost for Rapid COVID-19 RT PCR Testing service:
Travel and Immigration RT-PCR (unobserved self-swab), verification of photographic identification with signed and certified pdf result document by email (hard copies are available on request at no additional charge): £150
Travel to China, Hong Kong, Jersey or destinations requiring "ISO15189" laboratory accreditation:
Please contact us for further information if you are travelling to these destinations as, regrettably, we can not offer the same rapid turn around for results.
IgM blood testing is also required (as of June 2021) for travel to China. Fortunately this can also be arranged at The Hove Practice as a check, but is not suitable for immigration as this can only be performed in a few centres which have been approved by the Chinese Government.
Important Information:
The Hove Practice can not accept any responsibility for delays or expenses incurred as a result of receiving your result outside of the quoted timescales or the submission of an invalid/inconclusive sample or a positive swab result.
We will endeavour to provide the result according to the estimated timescales but are unable to control for rare events that may affect the courier or laboratory which may affect our estimated timescales without warning. We advise you book your test to be taken as early as your circumstances allow.
By booking a PCR test through the Hove Practice you acknowledge and accept that The Hove Practice can not be held responsible for the consequences of a delayed, invalid/inconclusive or positive result at this extremely challenging time. Once a swab has been performed, it is non-refundable.
All patients purchasing these tests must use their own judgment regarding the best date to purchase, perform and return the test to us/post it to the laboratory. The Hove Practice can not advise on, and do not take any responsibility for, any test timings and their associated outcomes including (but not limited to) the effect on travel, business or personal plans.
Please ensure you follow Government advice if you are concerned you may be symptomatic of COVID-19.
All COVID-19 PCR test results, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are automatically reported to Public Health England by our laboratory partner. Like all other providers, we are legally obliged to report this result and registration information to the police if requested.
Cancellation fee notice:
We understand that your travel plans may change suddenly in these uncertain times. To reflect this, cancellation of a test will only incur a £25 administration fee for the whole affected party, whether 1 individual or more. We ask that you provide us with as much notice as possible as there are likely other patients and travellers in need of your appointment.
COVID-19 RT-PCR For Business & Personal Testing
Testing for non-offical purposes
You may also wish to test for COVID-19 for non-official purposes within the UK. These may include for your business (such as face to face meetings or entry to events) or before meeting members of family. This would not require verification of identifcation and passport details are not included on the results certificate for this test.
Free Government COVID-19 RT-PCR tests are available if you are symptomatic of COVID-19, but should not be used for the purposes described above if you are not symptomatic.
Cost for Rapid COVID-19 RT PCR Testing service:
We offer our rapid turnaround for this service at our standard price of £150.
These tests are not suitable for travel, immigration or Test To Release purposes.
Important Information:
The Hove Practice can not accept any responsibility for delays or expenses incurred as a result of receiving your result outside of the quoted timescales or the submission of an invalid/inconclusive sample or a positive swab result.
We will endeavour to provide the result according to the estimated timescales but are unable to control for rare events that may affect the courier or laboratory which may affect our estimated timescales without warning.
We advise you book your test to be taken as early as your circumstances allow.
By booking a PCR test through the Hove Practice you acknowledge and accept that The Hove Practice can not be held responsible for the consequences of a delayed, invalid/inconclusive or positive result at this extremely challenging time.
Once a swab has been performed, it is non-refundable.
All patients purchasing these tests must use their own judgment regarding the best date to purchase, perform and return the test to us/post it to the laboratory.
The Hove Practice can not advise on, and do not take any responsibility for, any test timings and their associated outcomes including (but not limited to) the effect on travel, business or personal plans.
Please ensure you follow Government advice if you are concerned you may be symptomatic of COVID-19.
All COVID-19 PCR test results, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are automatically reported to Public Health England by our laboratory partner.
Like all other providers, we are legally obliged to report this result and registration information to the police if requested.
Cancellation fee notice:
We understand that your travel plans may change suddenly in these uncertain times. To reflect this, cancellation of a test will only incur a £25 administration fee for the whole affected party, whether 1 individual or more.
We ask that you provide us with as much notice as possible as there are likely other patients and travellers in need of your appointment.
COVID-19 PCR Testing Observed Service
If you wish for your test to be observed and advised upon by an experienced Hove Practice professional, you can attend the practice, and remain in your vehicle for the test.
A member of the Practice will meet you at your car, verify your identification (Original passport or driver's licence) and expertly oversee the throat and nasal swab which you will perform yourself with their support and instruction.
You must attend the practice in a vehicle in order to undertake this test and it must be arranged with us in advance.
Due to potential difficulties with performing this test in younger patients, all children aged 7 and under must have an observed test.
To book an observed test, please book the appropriate test online first and then either email reception@thehovepractice.co.uk, alternatively use the pop up "ask a question" speech box in the right hand corner of this page (which will send us an email) or call the Practice to request this service.
Please remember to include a contact telephone number and clearly state that you have already booked and wish to arrange an observed test.
Appointment timings may be limited and there is an additional £15 charge for this service.
COVID-19 PCR Result Times
We understand how important a rapid result is to our patients. Whilst past performance is not an indicator of future performance, we recognise it is helpful to see the sort of time you may be able to expect your result.
During September 2021, results were released to patients (on the same day they took the test) at the following times:
01/09/2021 18:27
02/09/2021 18:54
03/09/2021 16:53
07/09/2021 17:21
08/09/2021 17:08
09/09/2021 16:02
10/09/2021 17:16
13/09/2021 17:35
14/09/2021 17:52
15/09/2021 20:47
16/09/2021 16:48
17/09/2021 16:12
18/09/2021 16:34
21/09/2021 18:19
22/09/2021 22:41
22/09/2021 18:46
23/09/2021 16:23
24/09/2021 17:30
25/09/2021 17:56
27/09/2021 18:02
27/09/2021 22:10
28/09/2021 20:08
28/09/2021 20:47
29/09/2021 20:36
29/09/2021 20:36
29/09/2021 19:07
29/09/2021 20:18
30/09/2021 18:38
30/09/2021 19:24
Please be aware we can never guarantee a result by a certain time but we have almost always provided our patients with results before midnight on the day of testing if they leave the practice with our courier by 10.45am and re-testing is not required.
Where results have the same date but different times, this will be due to the laboratory splitting our batch of tests and/or a sample requiring retesting (this usually takes a further 4-5 hours).
Copyright © 2021 The Hove Practice - All Rights Reserved.
The Hove Practice is the trading name of Private General Practice Ltd.
Companies House Number 12132052
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 40 Wilbury Road, Hove, England, BN3 3JP
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