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COVID-19: Same-Day Fit to Fly Testing

COVID-19: Same-Day Fit to Fly Testing

Dec 20, 2023

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Rapid antigen testing, also more commonly known as lateral flow testing, is a faster method of COVID-19 detection than PCR testing. Rapid antigen tests have a specificity of over 97% and have been widely adopted across the UK as a measure of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

These easy-to-use tests can either be done at a local test site, a healthcare provider, such as Opus Biological, or from the comfort of your own home. The tests themselves will either require a throat or a nasal swab, with our staff providing you with the instructions on which is needed. This will be done at your short medical consultation prior to the test, carried out either in person or via video consultation.

Although lateral flow tests have been largely discussed for regular COVID-19 testing in the UK, they are now being used under the Government travel guidance for those travelling to England. 

You will need to take a COVID-19 test before arriving in the UK if you either do not qualify as fully vaccinated or you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the ten days before you arrive in England. A full list of the red list countries and territories can be found here, whilst the Travel to England guidance to find out if you qualify as fully vaccinated can be found here.

This use of lateral flow tests has been termed fit to fly testing, and it does what it says on the tin, ensuring you are not carrying the COVID-19 virus before you begin your travels or return to the UK. Whether you are jetting off somewhere warm or you are simply flying with the UK, a lateral flow test offers you the freedom to do so. It is, however, important to remember that these tests must be ordered and performed through a private provider and booked in advance before your trip.

How to get your Fit to Fly test Private testing for this scheme is available at several pharmacies up and down the country. At Opus, our tests are undertaken in a UKAS accredited partner laboratory and are CE marked, ensuring you receive the most accurate results. The Fit to Fly test itself will tell you if you are infected when taking your sample, with this information being relayed to you within 24 hours of the sample reaching our labs. We also offer same day access to testing for both the COVID-19 virus and for COVID-19 antibodies, easing your mind when it comes to last minute trips.

Going abroad and want to book your Fit to Fly test at Opus? Get in touch with us now.

Health Screening: Why regular appointments are important

Health Screening: Why regular appointments are important

Dec 20, 2023

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Health screening checks are a great option if you are looking for a summary of your overall health. They enable us to identify any risk factors you may have for more serious health conditions that could develop later down the line. Beyond this, our health screening checks can assist you in your long term health goals, whether that be losing weight, reducing stress, or simply getting in better shape.

Our team at Opus will support you on this journey and help contribute to your healthier lifestyle. So, what exactly can our health screening checks tell you?

There are so many different health problems that may arise throughout our life, and we cannot test for all of them. However, most health problems have a similar set of underlying risk factors that can be detected. This includes a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and smoking, to name a few. If you are still wondering how health screening checks and lifestyle changes can lower your risk of health problems, let’s take a look.

The phrase sedentary lifestyle often implies that your physical activity levels are very low; this may be a result of your occupation, but moving around throughout the day is detrimental to your health. The World Health Organization details that a sedentary lifestyle alone significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety. Likewise, smoking represents one of the largest causes of health problems in the UK, including lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and bronchitis. Simply increasing your daily activity levels and cutting back on the number of cigarettes you have can significantly reduce the risk of developing these health problems in the future.

During your health screening, we will start with gaining an understanding of your daily habits, identifying any that might increase your risk of health problems later on in life, before moving on to testing. Depending on the health screening package you have selected, or that has been tailored to your needs, tests may include hydration levels, body fat percentage, urine analysis, a full blood biochemistry profile including liver and kidney function, blood glucose test for diabetes, cholesterol profile, dietary analysis, a lung function test, resting ECG, and cardiovascular risk score, amongst many others. Collectively, these will provide a great starting point for the changes that need to be made in your everyday life.

Booking a health screening can often be overwhelming, with a host of different options available online. Although we offer several different health screening and wellbeing packages available for you to book directly, our team are able to tailor the packages to your individual needs, providing you with that added peace of mind.

Get in touch today to book your health screening check and start your journey to a healthy lifestyle with Opus.

Platelet rich plasma injections for arthritis.

Platelet rich plasma injections for arthritis.

Dec 14, 2023

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya from Pexels

Arthritis is a term that encompasses several different conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The underlying pathophysiology of these conditions lies with inflammation of the joint, eventually resulting in a destruction of the cartilage and bone within the joint itself.

The prevalence of this condition is astonishing, with more than 10 million people in the UK alone being affected by arthritis at some stage in their life. Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent arthritic conditions, with current statistics estimating that one in ten adults in the UK has symptomatic clinically diagnosed osteoarthritis. These figures alone call for more effective treatment options to be administered. This is where platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections come in.

PRP has been adopted in clinical practice to promote cell regeneration for decades; however, only recently has it been considered as a potential approach to treating osteoarthritis.

A 2013 study of 78 patients with osteoarthritis in both knees revealed that PRP injections resulted in a reduction in pain and stiffness, alongside an improvement in overall knee function at six weeks and three months post-administration. Similar results have been observed in many other studies, from animal models up to case reports. The goal of PRP in patients with osteoarthritis is to reduce pain, improve joint function, and halt or even repair the damage done to the cartilage. The higher concentration of platelets found in PRP enables an increased secretion of growth factors at the arthritic site, regulating cell division, stimulating tissue regeneration, and promoting healing.

Several theories have been proposed that explain the promising impact of PRP on osteoarthritis:

  1. PRP inhibits inflammatory markers, reducing inflammation and halting the progression of your osteoarthritis,
  2.  Stimulates the action of mesenchymal stem cells, resulting in the formation of new cartilage at the arthritic site,
  3. Increase your body’s production of fluid at the joint site, reducing joint friction and the subsequent pain,
  4. It contains proteins that alter your pain receptors response to sensation, reducing the pain experienced from arthritis.

Although there is no substantial evidence supporting the above theories, the promising improvements seen in osteoarthritis patients following PRP are widespread. If you are interested in finding out more about PRP, the conditions it can treat, and how Opus support you through your journey with us, get in touch today.

Improving Access to Primary Care Physicians in the UK: Challenges and Solutions

Improving Access to Primary Care Physicians in the UK: Challenges and Solutions

Mar 31, 2023

Primary care physicians play a crucial role in ensuring that people have access to basic healthcare services. In the UK, primary care physicians are typically general practitioners (GPs) who provide medical services to patients in the community. However, access to primary care physicians in the UK is not uniform, and many people struggle to access basic healthcare services due to various barriers.

According to a report by the King’s Fund, there are significant variations in access to primary care physicians across the UK. In some areas, patients can easily access a GP, while in others, there are long waiting times, and patients struggle to get an appointment. The report identified several factors that contribute to the variation in access, including population density, demographics, and workforce availability.

One significant challenge facing primary care physicians in the UK is a shortage of GPs. According to the Royal College of General Practitioners, there is a severe shortage of GPs, and the number of full-time equivalent GPs per 100,000 people has been declining since 2014. This shortage makes it difficult for patients to access primary care services, and it also puts a strain on existing GPs, who are often overworked and unable to provide the necessary level of care.

Another issue is the difficulty patients face in getting an appointment with a GP. Many practices have long waiting times, and some patients have reported having to wait weeks or even months to see a GP. This can lead to patients delaying seeking medical attention, which can exacerbate their condition and lead to more significant health problems.

Barriers to Access

There are several barriers to accessing primary care physicians in the UK, including:

Geographic location: Patients living in rural areas often have to travel long distances to access primary care services, as there are fewer GPs in these areas.

Socioeconomic factors: People living in deprived areas are less likely to access primary care services due to factors such as lack of transport, inability to take time off work, and language barriers.

Age and gender: Older people and women are more likely to access primary care services than younger people and men, who may delay seeking medical attention until their condition worsens.

Language barriers: Patients who do not speak English as their first language may struggle to communicate with GPs, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Solutions to Improve Access

Several solutions could improve access to primary care physicians in the UK, including:

Increasing the number of GPs: The government should invest in increasing the number of GPs and provide incentives for medical students to pursue general practice.

Using technology: GPs could use telemedicine and remote consultations to reduce waiting times and increase access to healthcare services.

Improving access for deprived communities: The government should invest in providing transport services and addressing language barriers to improve access for people living in deprived areas.

Increasing public awareness: The government should launch public awareness campaigns to encourage people to seek medical attention when they need it and educate them about the importance of primary care services.