Last updated Mon 29 Mar 2021
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Lateral Flow Testing is open to all current LCDS students and staff who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms, you should self-isolate and arrange a test via the NHS. You should not attend the UCL or any local authority test centres if you have symptoms or are self-isolating.
International students and students returning from overseas will need to self-isolate. This test cannot be used to reduce quarantine time. More info here.
Testing is crucial to protect our community, prevent the spread of the virus and help students return safely after lockdown.
Testing is not mandatory, but we encourage all asymptomatic students and staff to take part. You will not need to book an appointment for your test. It is recommended that everyone takes two tests each week, three days apart.
Yes. We encourage all asymptomatic students and staff to get tested regularly. Testing is crucial to protect our community and prevent the spread of the virus.
The tests provided as part of the UK government mass testing programme are Lateral Flow Device tests which are available for people who have no symptoms of COVID-19. These differ from PCR tests which the NHS only provides directly to those who have symptoms of COVID-19. This type of test is not available at UCL or Regents Place. We are aware PCR tests are available privately but we are not in a position to recommend a provider.
All staff members running the testing centre have received comprehensive training and been provided with full PPE. Regular cleaning takes place throughout the site. Everyone attending the centre must adhere to social distancing requirements and wear a face covering unless they are exempt. Only staff and students who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 should visit the testing centre.
You do not need to book to access the UCL testing centre. LCDS and The Place students and staff are expected daily on a walk-in basis between 12noon and 2pm.
If you wish to access the Regents Place site, you will need to book via this page.
Research suggests that the current Lateral Flow test has a high specificity but with slightly lower sensitivity, and therefore has the potential to miss some COVID-19 positive cases. Conducting two tests close to each other is a measure to pick-up any cases which were missed in the first round, or have developed since. You do not need to self isolate between negative tests
If you are not able to take two tests, we encourage you take one – one test is better than none.
No. If you are already self-isolating because you or anyone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms, or has received a positive test, you should not travel to the testing centre. Instead, you will need to take a confirmatory PCR test. This is a different test administered by the NHS.
The testing centre is located at Bidborough House at UCL (ground floor) 38-50 Bidborough Street, London, WC1H 9BT.
If you cannot walk to testing centres, you can take public transport.
Please take the most direct route and follow social distancing guidelines. You can find out more about the measures in place on the Transport for London network.
The closest stations to the UCL test centre is King’s Cross / St Pancras stations and Euston.
The closest stations to the Regents Place test centre are Warren Street and Great Portland Street.
This is a very complex operation which we were unable to administer ourselves, so we enlisted the help of our UCL colleagues who have kindly offered to make their facilities available to all LCDS students and staff. Thank you for your understanding.
To access the UCL site, please remember to bring your LCDS or The Place ID card. You will need your mobile to register on the UK government testing website.
You should also bring a face covering, as you will be required to wear one when travelling to the centre and inside the building, unless exempt.
You will take a Lateral Flow Device test, also known as an LFD test.
The tests are simple, fast and self-administered. When you register at the testing centre you will be given a test kit. You will then go to a private booth and take a swab from your throat and nostril. Watch this short video which explains the process.
The whole process including registration and testing will take no longer than 30 mins.
If you feel you may have difficulty administering the test, you can bring someone who will be able to help you. When you arrive, let the team know you are accompanied by someone who will help you. Please note that staff at the testing centre are unable to assist with administering the test.
Please leave the testing centre as soon as you have completed your test. If you have a class straight after your test, you can attend. Please follow our social distancing guidelines at all times.
You should receive your results via text or email on the same day as your test. Your test results will be processed by NHS Test and Trace and not stored by UCL or LCDS. NHS Test and Trace will contact you directly with your test result. They will not advise UCL or LCDS of the outcome of your test.
What should I do if I receive a negative test result?
You should plan your second test and continue to follow any UK government restrictions in place.
If I get a negative test result, does this mean I definitely don’t have COVID-19?
No, a Lateral Flow test is an indicator, but may not be 100% accurate. You should conduct two tests three days apart as this will pick up anything which was missed in the first round, or which has developed since.
You and anyone in your household will need to self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test. This is a different test which must be booked directly through the NHS. You and your household must follow all NHS advice which includes isolating for 10 days or until you receive a negative PCR test result from the NHS. If you experience subsequent onset of symptoms, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms. Seek medical care as required. Email Kim.Hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform her of the positive result.
If I get a positive test result, does this mean I definitely have COVID-19?
No, a Lateral Flow test is an indicator, but may not be 100% accurate. Upon receiving a positive test you should immediately self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test. This is a different test which must be booked directly through the NHS You should also email Kim.Hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform her of the positive result.
I am a student - what should I do if I receive a positive test result whilst I am on site?
If you receive a positive test result whilst you are on site, you should make your way home immediately. If you need to use public transport, you should strictly observe social distancing measures, wear a face covering and wash your hands before and after your journey. You and anyone in your household will then need to self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test. This is a different test which must be booked directly through the NHS. You and your household must all isolate for 10 days or until you receive a negative PCR test result. If you experience subsequent onset of symptoms, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms. Seek medical care as required. Email Kim.Hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform her of the positive result.
I am a staff member - what should I do if I receive a positive test result whilst I am on site?
If you receive a positive test result whilst you are on site, you should inform your line manager and make your way home immediately. If you need to use public transport, you should strictly observe social distancing measures, wear a face covering and wash your hands before and after your journey. You and anyone in your household will then need to self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test. This is a different test which must be booked directly through the NHS. You and your household must all isolate for 10 days or until you receive a negative PCR test result. If you experience subsequent onset of symptoms, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms. Seek medical care as required. Email Kim.Hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform her of the positive result.
If someone in your household has received a positive test, you should also self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test if you develop symptoms of the virus. This is a different test which must be booked directly through the NHS. Your household must all isolate for 10 days or until anyone who has tested positive has received a negative confirmatory test result.
The person who has tested positive must report it to kim.hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform The Place of your situation. Self-isolate for 10 days if you live with that person. If you don’t live with them, but had close contact with them in the 48 hours before they became unwell, you need to start self-isolating for 10 days. If that person has a PCR test via the NHS and the results show that they did not have COVID-19, you no longer need to self-isolate.
As long as your first test result is negative, you do not need to self-isolate until you take your second one.
The person in close contact with someone who has tested positive must email kim.hutt@theplace.org.uk to inform The Place of your situation. If you don’t live with them, but had close contact with them in the 48 hours before they became unwell, you need to start self-isolating for 10 days. If that person has a PCR test via the NHS and the results show that they did not have COVID-19, you no longer need to self-isolate.
A ‘'close' contact is defined by the NHS as someone who:
If your PCR COVID-19 test result is negative, you will no longer have to self-isolate. Other people in your household can also stop self-isolating as long as they have no symptoms and are not waiting for the results of a PCR taken by themselves or someone else they live with.
When you attend your test appointment, you will need to register with a mobile number on the UK government testing website. These details and your test results will be processed by NHS Test and Trace and not stored by UCL or LCDS. NHS Test and Trace will contact you directly with your test result. Read their privacy information.
We recognise this is a stressful and difficult time for all. Please get in touch with student support services if you require any support.