Antenatal scans at our Women’s Hospital site – your options of COVID-19 testing
We are now able to welcome support partners, who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and have evidence of a negative test result taken within the last 24 hours, to attend all antenatal pregnancy scans taking place at our Women’s Hospital site.
It is compulsory for support partners to have a negative test result to attend on-site and we strongly recommend the woman having the scan is tested also.
There are three options in obtaining/carrying out a test:
Home lateral flow testing
There are now more options available to those not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms to obtain testing kits that can be used in the home.
Thousands of pharmacies across England have signed up to offer pharmacy collection. You can go to a participating pharmacy and pick up a free box of tests to use at home. Over the coming weeks, more and more pharmacies will be signing up.
If your test is negative you will need to provide evidence on arrival, ahead of your scan appointment. You can either show our team the receipt of your uploaded result on the NHS COVID-19 app, a picture of the swab with the negative result or bring in the negative swab (ensuring it is in a clear bag).
If the support partner’s test is positive, please DO NOT attend the appointment and self-isolate in line with government guidance (insert link re. PCR test etc). If the pregnant woman’s test is positive, please contact the department you are due to attend for advice.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing at our Children’s Hospital
There is no need to book or even leave your vehicle, and when you arrive we’ll see you straight away. Please bring with you your appointment letter if you have one, and if not your hospital number. Please also bring a pen and your mobile phone number. You can attend together or separately but must have access to a mobile number to receive your results via text. Your will need to be able to show both of your text messages when you arrive for your appointment.
The facility is open every day. Please ensure you visit the day before your scan appointment. For morning scan appointments please attend.
The postcode for your sat-navs is B4 6DE (Printing House Street).
Lateral Flow test on the day of your appointment at the Women’s Hospital
If you do not have access to a private vehicle or a mobile phone or a home lateral flow test then we can offer you a Lateral Flow test on the day of your appointment if you are attending for your scan at our Women’s Hospital site only.
Lateral flow tests are only available Monday to Friday and will be carried out by a member of staff from a portacabin located in the main car park. You should arrive one hour before your appointment to allow enough time for the test and results. You will not be able to enter the main building until your results have been confirmed.
Once the test has been completed you will be asked to wait away from the testing area for at least 30 minutes to receive your results by text.
To ensure the safety of you and other people attending we are not able to provide a waiting area, so please only use this testing option as a last resort and dress appropriately for the weather. There is no facility to book with tests being offered Monday to Friday from 8am until 3.30pm.