Post my poo through the letterbox?

[Zoesmummy1]

I was asked by my gp to do two stool samples after finding blood in my poo and some other worrying symptoms. I go on holiday tomorrow for two weeks so was wondering if I should post the samples through the surgery door before I go very early tomorrow morning? I would usually wait until I returned but am obviously very worried about my symptoms and have a family history of bowel cancer so don’t really want to wait two weeks extra. Is this ok or out or order on my part?

Have they given you appropriate pots/bags for the samples, so whoever picks them up is protected?

If so, I can’t see that being an issue, presuming they have a postbox big enough - many don’t, as they can be a security issue.

Are you sure your surgery has a letterbox?

Mine doesn't.

In your case I would. Then you can enjoy your holiday knowing you have set things in process.
At first I thought your post was a dodgy revenge strategy!

I was told to post mine it was a letterbox with a holder thing whatever that's called, not just onto the floor for some poor staff member to step on on the way in.

My last test was addressed to be sent to the hospital, not the GP.
But go with whatever address you were given, OP.

It should be fine, it will be in a sealed capsule then a sealed bag with the paperwork on the outside filled in with your details And date when you collected the sample. It will be a regular occurrence at a GP surgery our Drs tell us to do this

Yes I have the correct pots to collect in and then bags to seal up. I was then planning to put them in an envelope and would obviously write what it contained.
i have never done this before and didn’t actually think to ask where I should return them. Does anyone know if I should post them to the hospital instead?

Ours have to go in a biohazard collection box

My friend had to send her sample off in the post (I don't know the ins and outs). The same day she posted it, as directed, with the label and packaging, her area was flooded, yes, including the post box.

I must ask her what happened about that!

If you hadn't been going on holiday presumably you would have taken them into the surgery? I think posting them should be OK if very clearly labelled - I would write "Stool Samples" in big letters on the envelope. If they can't receive and process them you will have to resubmit when you get back so phone the surgery while you're away or as soon as you get back, to check.

Yes, if you got the request form from your GP, they go back to your GP. As long as you write it clearly on the outside you’ll be fine.

Have you got family who could drop them off for you for peace of mind they’ve been received?

I would post them through the GP letter box, less likely to go astray than posting to the hospital.

When my dc had to give a 💩 sample, it had to be in the surgery before 2pm that day for collection to go to the hospital. After that they won’t accept it. It has to be a fresh 🙈sample apparently 🤷🏻‍♀️

please do ask!

At first I thought your post was a dodgy revenge strategy!

That was exactly what I thought, too. 😁

My surgery has a box outside the door under a porch to put samples in, so it might have something similar?

Well there's a thread title! I'd see if they have a box for samples and put it there. If not then no don't just mail it through the standard letterbox

My friend and I have received letters for free screening. The idea is you get a pot from chemist and then send it off in the pre-paid envelope! I am bit agog at this - the idea of sending my shit through the post! 😱

Don’t know if relevant but I live in london and people over a certain age are on a screening programme. A London hospital sends out the letters and pots, the deed is done and then sent back to the hospital in question. But may be different if sent by GP. Could you ring the surgery?

I put mine in letterbox I do so with my urine also but also wrap in a scented bag the receptionist always knows who's poop it is by my fancy peony bags haha

@Zoesmummy1 no don’t post to hospital.

Your GP has ordered the test so they transport the samples to the lab.
if you seal them in the specimen bags they can be posted through.

ours get collected once a day from the surgery

The letterbox at our surgery specifically says not to do this.

What are the instructions with your tests? Had to send my FIT test by post direct to the analysing lab (dropped in a regular post box).