Self Sample Kit FAQ’s

Using the self Sampling kit

Results and follow up

Contact Us

Ordering a self sampling kit

I have symptoms, can I order a self sampling kit?

• This service is designed for those without symptoms. If you have symptoms we advise you book a telephone appointment with one of our clinical team: phone: 0131 536 1070.
• Based on your telephone consultation we may be able to manage your symptoms remotely or ask you to come in for a face-to-face appointment. The clinician may send you a home sampling kit following your telephone appointment.
• If your symptoms can be managed through a pharmacy (for example if you are certain you have thrush), then you can order a home testing kit for STI screening. However, please be aware there is no clinical assessment of your symptoms using this process unless your results are positive. 

There are no kits available online

• We can only offer a limited number of testing kits for the laboratory to process each day. This means we may reach our daily limit before you try to order. 
• We release new kits online around 9am every weekday.  
• If there are no available kits to order online it means we have run out for that day. 

I don’t live or work in Lothian, can I order a kit?

• We can only post out kits using the online service to Lothian postcodes.
• Not all areas offer a self sampling kit service. Therefore, you need to enter a Lothian postcode to have the option to order a Lothian Sexual Health Services self Sampling Kit.

How do I add my address using online booking?

• At Step 6 of 9 it is important to tick the section: ‘Please check this box to enter your address and consent to be contacted by letter’. This will open up further fields to enter your address.
• Without completing Step 6 of 9 it may not be possible to post out your testing. If you have left the defaulted tick in place for “Can we download your details – name, address and GP information – from the NHS Scotland national system” then we may be able to obtain your address using this information.

I would like to collect my home sampling kit in person.

• It is easier to post your testing kit but we understand this is not suitable for all.
• If you would like to collect your testing kit, please call the telephone ordering line 0131 536 1070 (select option 2) and say you’d like to collect your testing kit. Do NOT use the online booking system if you’d like to collect the kit in person.
• At present we can only offer a collection in person service at Chalmers Centre, 2a Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES. This service is not available at any of our Local Clinics at present.
• Please give us at least 2 working days notice if you’d like to collect a testing kit in person.

I don’t want the home sampling kit posted to my home address.

• To use the self sampling kit service, we need to use a Lothian postcode. If you don’t want it posted to your home address please order the kit using a Lothian address that you would like it posted to.

What does it mean when you ask if you can download my details from the NHS Scotland national system (step 6 of 9 during online booking)?

• NHS Scotland hold current health records under a Community Health Index (CHI) number.
• At Step 6 of 9 on the online booking you have the opportunity to choose to link your personal CHI details to our sexual health system.
• If you choose to do this, we only download your personal contact details (e.g. name, address, GP details). We do NOT download your general medical file from the CHI system and we do NOT upload your sexual health records to CHI. 
• Your STI test results WILL be recorded under your CHI number, so they will be visible to your GP or other clinician with access to your general medical records.

Will you contact my GP about my self sampling kit?

• We do not routinely tell your GP about your sexual health screening.
• We may tell your GP if you have a positive infection and we have been unable to contact you. 

My kit hasn’t arrived, what do I do?

• Your kit will arrive by Royal Mail and should fit through your letter box. Please allow up to 5 working days for the kit to arrive before contacting us.
• If you haven’t received your testing kit after 5 working days please call us on 0131 536 1070 (select option 2).

Why is the test not offered to those under the age of 16years?

• If you are under 16 years old and are sexually active we would like to chat to you to see if we can offer you any additional support, for example, contraception or other sexual health advice, and to make sure you feel happy and safe about having sex.
• We offer appointments and/ or drop-in services at the Chalmers Centre and our range of Local Clinics spread across the Lothians. Please refer to our Young People’s pages for more information.

Why do I have to say if I’ve tested positive for syphilis before?

• We want to make sure we order the correct syphilis test for you.
• We use 2 different tests to detect syphilis but we only have enough blood to do one. Our main screening test (called ‘enzyme-immunoassay’ or EIA) detects antibodies and will stay positive if you have ever had syphilis before. This test will not be helpful in detecting a new syphilis.
• To detect for a new syphilis infection, we perform a ‘rapid plasma reagin’ or RPR test. If you advise us you have had syphilis before, we can check your records and see if it is better for you to have an RPR test instead.

Why do I have to say that I am HIV positive?

• We will check your records to see whether this test is needed and remove it if not. If you are living with HIV then it is not necessary to do an additional HIV test using the home sampling kit.

How does the kit arrive?

• The testing kit comes in a discreet envelope with no  information revealing its contents or that it has come from Lothian Sexual Health Services.
• The envelope does state ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ and has a discreet PO Box return address.
• Your kit will arrive by Royal Mail and should fit through your letter box. Please allow up to 5 working days for the kit to arrive before contacting us.

Using the self sampling kit

How do I do the samples?

• The testing kit has instructions on how to take the samples.
• For additional instructions on how to take the self-taken blood test please click here.
• Once completed put the samples in the correct sample bags as indicated in the pack, and seal them shut.
• Drop your sample bags off at any NHS Lothian GP surgery – it doesn’t have to be your own GP. Leave them in the sample collection tray at reception, if you cant find it ask the receptionist. Your samples will go directly to our laboratory.

I’m struggling with the blood test, please help.

It can be difficult to take the blood test.

• You could ask a friend if you are struggling.
• Make sure your hands are warm when taking the test to encourage blood flow.
• For additional instructions on how to take the self-taken blood test please click here.
• If you feel you are unable to do the blood test, then you can return your pack without the blood. We will still test the other samples we receive.
• If you need a replacement blood testing kit please call 0131 536 1070 (select option 2).

When is the best time to test after a potential exposure to an STI?

After a potential exposure to:

• Chlamydia or gonorrhoea – wait 14 days before taking the test.
• HIV – wait 45 days before taking the test.
• Syphilis – this can take up to 12 weeks after a potential exposure to become positive. Therefore we recommend testing at 45 days after a potential exposure and again at 12 weeks.
• Please return your test within 4 weeks of it being sent to you or we may not be able to process it.

When does the testing kit expire?

• Return the testing kit as soon as possible after ordering but ensure you test at the correct time (see above).
• Please return your test within 45 days of it being sent to you or we may not be able to process it.

Results and follow-up

How do I get my results?

• Call the automated results phone line on 0131 536 1050.
• You will be asked to insert your patient ID number (which will be in your kit) and your date of birth in 6 digits (ddmmyy).
• The results line is updated once per day at 07:00am
• Your results will be available for 3 months.
• Your results are usually available within 7 to 14 days of being received in our laboratory (not from postage). If your results are taking longer than 14 days please call our Health Advisor Team on 0131 536 2108.

What if my results are positive?

• One of our Health Advisors will usually contact you to arrange treatment.
• If you find out you have tested positive for an infection before we contact you (for example from the automated results line), then please contact our Health Advisors on 0131 536 2108 to arrange treatment. 

Contact us

Id like to speak to someone about my test

• If you have not yet posted the samples please call: 0131 536 1070 (select option 2) Monday to Friday 9am – 12pm.
• If you have already posted the samples back: please call 0131 536 2108.
• For issues other than self sampling kits, please call us on 0131 536 1070 (select option 1).