Hi, got a phlebotomist booked for first thing Weds AM. Sending one package to Genova Diagnostics. No problem they have an account with DHL and courier is arriving between 10am and 3pm. Regenerus have been sending out UPS labels instead of their usual Royal Mail return labels at the moment. So that's sorted too! HOWEVER, having a real problem with Thriva!! Unlike the two aforementioned companies Thriva offers NO telephone support whatsoever. Noticing that they had sent a Royal Mail return envelope I contacted their online chat and asked what alternative arrangements they had made. The response I received was that I could use any courier and just need to drop the package off. It's turning out to be quite the opposite of this!! While DHL will be taking the Genova package they WON'T take the Thriva package as sending it "under my own steam", as it were, I am not an "authorised" user and Thriva don't have an account with them. Have tried several other carrier services inc. UPS who I cannot get a straight answer from. UPS website clearly states that Category B Biological Substances are "prohibited items" but when I rang their customer services I was told it was OK. Likewise other companies?!?! Have been back in touch with Thriva who said I could simply "drop it off in a priority post box" even though I had clearly stated I am sending on Weds (do they even realise there is a strike) or to "try and see if DPD will take it". Have waited all day for that response from their online chat! Has anyone any experience of sending Category B Biological Specimens "under their own steam" with any other company than the Royal Mail and, if so, please could you advise. Please don't tell me to cancel the phlebotomist just yet. It is just that I have worked really hard over the last few days tailoring an already restricted diet, coming off supplements etc etc so I would be ready for the testing on Weds and really don't want to have to push this into next week if I can possibly avoid that. Many thanks in anticipation.
Sending Category B Biological Specimens During ... - Thyroid UK
Sending Category B Biological Specimens During Royal Mail Strike. HELP!
Panic over!! Someone on the Sarah Myhill Supporters FB forum got in touch to say can send it Fed Ex in UN 3373 packaging, which is of course what I already have from Thriva. Rang Fed Ex and was told yes, Cat B Biological Substances OK if sent in UN 3373 packaging. Useful to know given impending Royal Mail strikes. Next day delivery by 12 noon with signature has cost £24 (cheaper than an additional phlebotomy appt). Intend to call at Local Fed Ex drop station tomorrow with my packaging/label to check that what I intend to send Weds is all in order and will be accepted. Will report back if anything else transpires.
RM do say:
On days when national strike action is taking place:
We will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24 parcels as possible
We will prioritise the delivery of COVID test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible
We will not be delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery) royalmail.com/latest-news
So as your test will be an obvious 'medical' item, sending by Special Delivery may be ok. But I agree it's risky. 😞
it’s best to send bloods on a Monday so the blood is tested fresh. There is always the possibility that it will not reach its destination by Friday and will then not be analysed till Monday.
Hi Meme, yes did try to book blood test Monday but none available and I needed to crack as appt with practitioner looms. Have sent for Thurs arrival a couple of times before and it has always been ok, but certainly worth bearing in mind.
no matter what it says on your return envelope, I have been paying to send everything either special delivery which is a silver label, or there is an even faster one which is guaranteed by 9am the next morning, sorry I have forgotten the colour of the label you buy for that one, I have 'silver label' drummed in so hard. it's not cheap but it gets the bloods there. I was advised to do this by our postie who is a friend. These labels will be given priority over anything else including backlogs, and may well still get through if there are casual staff employed on strike days. hth.
Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm is from £6.85
Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 9am is from £22.95
I always use Guaranteed by 1pm and it's usually the lightest weight so £6.85. Mine have always been delivered to either Medichecks or Blue Horizon around 8am, sometimes earlier, so no point in paying for Guaranteed by 9am.
It has failed on 2 or 3 occasions and taken 2 days but you can claim the fee back if it doesn't arrive the next day by the stated time as long as you have the receipt with tracking number.
Even cheaper for RM Special by1pm if you do it online. They'll even collect it from your home (although I don't know if phlebotomy samples might be excluded for collection). send.royalmail.com/send/ser...
Oooh, I never knew that, I'll look into it. Thanks RA 
Mmm, maybe not, looks like they add an extra day to the delivery time (unless I'm reading it incorrectly), so for getting the sample to the lab next day it looks like taking it to the Post Office is the way to go.
send.royalmail.com/collect/...
Which items would you like us to collect?* indicates a required field
Need urgent next day delivery using Special Delivery Guaranteed? We add a working day to our aims and guarantees with Parcel Collect.
Find out more at royalmail.com/collection.
Ah, guessed there might be a catch. I've used their collect service (not Special Delivery) for other things and it's worked a treat.
Hi Seaside Susie, many thanks for chipping in! I usually use Royal Mail guaranteed next day by 1pm for sending samples and fortunately have never had a problem. If it takes 2 days has that meant that the samples have spoilt and you have to re-do?
Have just dropped my parcel off at Fed Ex for delivery tomorrow back at home now waiting for DHL (for Genova Diagnostics). Incidentally,I think that is a good set up Genova have with DHL. I have used it before and very straightforward.
And finally.......life is funny....!! At the Fed Ex depot this morning when I stopped at the booth by the entrance gate the chap in the booth was obviously keen to chat! Asked me what I do for a living. I told him I am a musician. What type of music do you play? "Classical". At that point another vehicle went past and I lost sight of him for a moment. When he re-appeared he had a ukulele in his hands and proceeded to play me (very proficiently) several pieces by Bach. Eventually I had to bring the impromptu concert to a close, thanking him kindly and reminding him that my parcel is NEXT DAY DELIVERY!
Thanks for the heads up! Useful to know!!
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