RE: Bbc report on DIY test kits25 Jul 2025 00:45
Please note Pennys response to GMb report which was issued via her PR team under CONCEPTA .
The news today that at-home tests or ‘off-the-shelf health tests’ may be unfit for purpose is misleading.
The information published today in the British Medical Journal refers specifically to direct to consumer self-test devices, such as lateral flow tests, whereas at-home or ‘off-the-shelf health tests’ also include testing formats such as sample collection kits, that are then sent away to a laboratory and are robustly tested with result provided in the form of a report.
Laboratory tests such as those provided by MyHealthChecked, do not require lay-person interpretation, and do not carry risks of false positives or negatives which can be associated with lateral flow devices. Selected laboratory partners are typically ISO 15189 accredited, and in many cases, process thousands of NHS tests annually.
It’s disappointing and misleading for the end user to see the lines between the different at-home tests blurred, when the study and publication refers to direct-to-consumer self-tests only. The NHS is under significant pressure, and the general public is often keen to explore robust testing practices to aid their knowledge and help them to make informed decisions.
Rapid tests like LFTs are designed to be screeners: customers can quickly check for health issues, and take concerns further with a doctor if necessary. For those wanting a more in-depth report, laboratory tests provide NHS-standard analysis and expert recommendations that leave little room for doubt.
At-home testing does not seek to replace the role of a GP, or provide additional workload, but it can provide a means for customers to understand their own health biomarkers, and make informed decisions.
Penny McCormick
Chief Executive Officer
I feel Penny should personally ask GMB for an opportunity to see the record straight because MHC is both compliant and working to help the NHS and should be commended for its good work and tests.
GMB have been mis leading according to the words of Penny our CEO