Can I get a reliable antibody test privately

[HRHPP]

I am a key worker but non patient facing so can’t get an antibody test at work .
My partner lives with her shielded parents so is understandably very cautious about seeing me.

Can I get a reliable antibody test privately ? Southampton ish area ?

I really want a hug after all these weeks of very pressured working at home ( single parent )

Bump

I'd be keen to know this too

Harley street- google it

What area are you in? Some private GPs are offering venous blood tests which are supposed to be very accurate.

Try googling better2know as they appear to offer tests in clinic

Yes I have Googled of course but I am a health professional and still am seeking advice as private medicine is a mystery to me .
The websites are sales pitches .
I suppose I am asking if the venous private tests are worth paying for . Are they accurate ?

"Doctor call" online site based in harley street has them for £55 to send in the post. they're the Abbott test with pretty much as high as accuracy as you can get. we bought some and got a positive for my sister who did think she had been Ill with it.

It is the Roche one which is meant to be the new one which is most accurate

But not sure if can get it yet or just used by the NHS.

This www.ft.com/content/2d1bf42e-fedd-4f1b-837a-4460d0ad7494

gives details and was posted 3 weeks ago

https://www.privatecoronavirustests.com/product/igg-antibody-test-nhs

I used these. I am an NHS worker too and they offer tests for NHS staff for £49. These are the Abbott test which is approved by the NHS. All posted out to you.

Just remember having a positive antibody test is interesting BUT no evidence it offers immunity and so doesn't mean you can end social distancing...

I had one in a private GP clinic in Oxford. It was the Abbott test and it was a full blood test. Results by text within 48h.

I thought the Abbott tests were taken off by Superdrug couple of weeks ago

All NHS employees should be tested, not just patient facing staff. I would suggest that you check with your line manager as it could be staff in frontline roles have been prioritised before rolling out to other staff groups.

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-offer-antibody-tests-to-health-and-social-care-staff-and-patients-in-england

@nex18 I work for a local authority and we have no one trained to take blood samples on the team and the roll out for community teams is not even being talked about yet ..... surprising when you consider who is looking after all the people that were cleared out of the hospitals

And we deal with all the people in care homes ... so I think it’s pretty important that community teams are tested but hospital staff are prioritised

I’m a NHS manager, non patient facing, about as far from the frontline as you can get (although I did spend the first six weeks of lockdown deployed to a hospital). We have been told that we will be getting antibody tests soon as these are being rolled out to all NHS staff. Ask your manager.

I have asked and I have been in meeting with equivalent NHS managers and they are getting tested and our senior management has said there are ‘no plans’ to gets us tested

Both the Abbott and Roche venous sample tests are considered reliable. Finger prick samples are much debated regarding reliability. Lots of private clinics are offering the venous samples.

www.pharmacy.biz/superdrug-criticised-for-rolling-out-69-antibody-kit-which-wasnt-intended-for-use-as-a-home-test/

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/22/do-not-rely-superdrug-antibody-test-says-governments-testing/

This was the Abbott test

The Abbott test was not designed or initially verified as a finger prick sample. That is what the criticism is about. The venous samples are reliable. If they show antibodies that is reliably correct. You can get a false negative (saying no antibodies) if the level of antibodies is very very low. No-one knows how long the antibodies will last, but for most things it is lifelong. If you are in Sussex or Surrey I can point you to services, otherwise it is down to google!

With all due respect though, what’s the point though? Seeing as we have no real idea if having had it offers true immunity?

You can't form a bubble with a shielding household, antibody test or not. Sorry

@HRHPP I am having one done next week in Bournemouth, it's the Abbott test and costs £95, not sure if there is a discount for NHS workers. The website was dorsetprivategp.co.uk though maybe you'll find something closer to you.

@HRHPP - no advise but I really feel for you. It sounds like you are really really missing your partner and would go out of the way to make it happen - she's lucky to have you and I hope you get to hug her soon.