Now open: North London Walk-in Centre

Sample collection has become more convenient and affordable than ever before in the North London area as AlphaBiolabs has opened a new Walk-in Centre in North London from today. The centre is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.30am and 4.30pm and provides free sample collection for DNA testing and Drug & Alcohol testing at the following location: Queens Crescent Practice 76 Queens Crescent London NW5 4EB Before you attend one of our Walk-in Centres please call 0333 600 1300 to register your case. Situated between Kentish Town and Chalk Farm tube stations the location this centre provides a flexible approach for North London residents to pop-in without even having to make an appointment. Solicitors in London can also be rest assured that their clients are less likely to miss their DNA testing or Drug & Alcohol testing for any reason. David Thomas, Managing Director of AlphaBiolabs said: “Our Walk-in Centres have been a great success and we have wanted to add this convenient service to the London area for quite some time now.” He added: “AlphaBiolabs are delighted to announce the opening of our London Walk-in Centre, after much searching to provide the best possible facilities to customers in this area.”

Free Sample Collection in North London

The sample will be collected completely free of charge by a fully qualified nurse, who will then send it on to our UK based laboratory for analysis, where they are swiftly and expertly analysed by DNA and Toxicology specialists. As our sample collectors follow strict procedures to maintain confidentiality and the chain of custody the results of the testing can be used for legal and immigration purposes. Keeping the chain of custody, alongside our laboratory’s UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation means that the results of our tests are court approved and are accepted by:
  • Family Law Courts
  • The Ministry of Justice
  • The Child Maintenance Service (CMS)
  • The Home Office
  • UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

Simple and Painless Sample Collection

For DNA testing the sample collector will use buccal swabs similar to a cotton wool bud, rubbing them on the inside of both cheeks, to take samples of saliva for analysis. This method is quick and painless and therefore there are no age restrictions, which can be particularly useful for paternity testing for example. Similarly, AlphaBiolab’s tiny blood sample collection technique that is used for testing methods such as blood alcohol testing is suitable for those afraid of needles. A small lancet device is used to prick a finger; the area is then gently massaged to collect a small volume of blood in a collection tube. Enough blood is collected from this method to perform testing with no need for needles. The sample collectors can also utilise breathalysers, oral fluid kits, urine testing kits and take specimens for hair testing for Drug & Alcohol testing. This can be particularly useful for solicitor’s clients to visit the centres in cases involving a drug and/or alcohol misuse, or for employer’s in the London area who wish to have an employee tested at the centre after suspicious behaviour. Charlotte, an AlphaBiolab’s Sample Collector, explained how helpful these Walk-in Centres and the sample collection process can be. She said: “These centres are ideal for clients who cannot commit to a specific appointment time or want to save money on the sample collection portion of testing. Although we are usually given a general idea of when a client or customer may arrive, there is no need to make a formal appointment, they can pop-in anytime the centre is open to have their sample taken.” She added: “We will also provide them with help and advice along the way, such as how to fill in the relevant forms and what happens to the sample once it is taken, if they are curious.” As AlphaBiolabs sample collectors are trained in many aspects of customer service and collection methods they have a broad understanding of the whole process and can help with many of the common questions that can arise about DNA testing and Drug & Alcohol testing. However, for more complex scientific questions, we have DNA and Toxicology specialists at hand for expert advice. Charlotte said: “We can answer any questions [the clients and customers] might have, but in certain situations when it is just not possible for whatever reason, we will look to get them the information they require as soon as possible.”

Sample Collection Options in London

Due to the continued success of our Walk-in Centres in other locations AlphaBiolabs decided to provide the same flexibility and convenience to North London. Further plans include opening a Walk-in Centre in South London very soon. If it is not possible for you to visit a DNA testing and Drug & Alcohol testing Walk-in centre in London then you may wish to take advantage of our dedicated sample collection network. One of our fully-qualified nurses can visit you anywhere in the UK to take a sample, there is a fee for this service, but they can come to you at a time and a place that is convenient to you. Please visit our sample collection page or contact 0333 600 1300 or info@alphabiolabs for more information on this service or our Walk-in Centre in London.