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Tesco to launch home testing kits

ended 27. February 2023

People shopping at Tesco will be able to pick up home testing kits for various health conditions, ranging from thyroid problems to bowel cancer. Tesco has partnered with provider, Newfoundland, to stock self-diagnostic tests through 500+ stores nationwide and via its website. Newfoundland intends to widen the tests available through Tesco to cover prostate cancer, HIV and urinary tract infections and is aiming to launch its at-home HIV testing kit this summer. We asked doctors and healthcare professionals for their views.

2 responses from the Newspage community

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Dr Suhail Hussain
Private GP at Dr Suhail Hussain
It is absolutely vital for people to be proactive about their health, and screening is a great way to do this. However, there is a huge caveat to this. People need to be aware of what they are looking for and what the result might mean. Who is overseeing the quality control of the tests, who is interpreting the results, what about the anxiety created by an “abnormal” result? Dr Google is great, but you need a qualified doctor to really discuss the results and, more importantly, what needs to be done about anything that is out of range. For example it could just need repeating after a short interval, some lifestyle intervention or potentially referral to a specialist or commencing medication. So whilst I am a massive advocate of people taking charge of their own health and wellbeing, it is always useful to have a guide on your side.
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Anthea Morris
Finance Director at Better2Know
Making private healthcare more accessible is great. However health tests are not a commodity product you pick up while deciding what to have for dinner that week. I will be interested to see how clinical support to decide which test is right for you is delivered and the support care when you do get your results.