COVID-19 testing for patients attending the Hartpury Suite
NHS England recommends that all people who need to come into hospital for an investigation or treatment as an outpatient should be tested for COVID-19, whether they have symptoms or not. Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust supports this recommendation and will offer you a swab for COVID-19 when you attend one of our hospitals so that you get the safest and most appropriate care.
This means we will offer testing to anyone who requires:
- an outpatient admission for a procedure.
- a diagnostic test such as an angiogram as an outpatient.
Process on and during admission
Once your initial assessment and examination has been completed and a decision is made that you are required to attend the hospital as an outpatient, then a Covid-19 test will be offered; even if you do not have any symptoms.
The test involves a swab being taken from the back of your throat and your nose. This is not painful or dangerous.
You can choose not to have the test if you wish but this may mean we cannot offer you the treatment/ procedure you require.
It is helpful to know whether you have Covid-19, as this means:
- You will be able to advise your household members and other family or friends so they can make appropriate plans to self-isolate if necessary.
- If you show symptoms within a few days of having been tested, you can be directed to the most appropriate department in the hospital for further care if necessary.
- If you have to stay in hospital after your result is known, we can make sure that you are cared for in a way that protects you, staff and other patients from picking up the virus.
Self-isolation
You and all members of your household must self-isolate from the time your Covid-19 swab is taken until you are admitted for the procedure (this is generally 72 hours before admission).
Please visit www.nhs.uk for more information about self- isolating.
Where will the testing take place?
An administrator will contact you to book a day and time that is convenient. The service will be running 7 mornings a week at:
West Block Outpatients
Cheltenham General Hospital
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 17:00pm
On Saturday and Sunday testing will take place in the:
Ambulatory Emergency Care
Please follow the signs to avoid entering the Minor Injuries Illness unit.
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court 1010
Pioneer Avenue Brockworth
GL3 4AW
Monday to Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm
When would I find out the result?
Test results should normally be available within 24 to 48 hours. We are working towards having point of care testing (where we can test you on the day of your appointment) in the future, which will mean results will be available earlier.
If the test is positive you will be contacted by a team member to inform you of this.
Please note if the test result is negative you will not be contacted.
How will my care change if I test positive?
If you test positive for Covid-19, your clinical team will be informed of your result. They will contact you if any changes are required to the care you receive as it may mean that your appointment(s) will need to be rebooked for a later date. For example, if you have a routine appointment, this would need to be rebooked for when your period of self-isolation ends.