GBSS has set strict criteria, in collaboration with our medical advisors, that private GBS testing providers must meet before being featured on our website or social media channels. These criteria were developed to ensure that our partners are following best medical practices and are providing excellent patient care for customers. Presently, only The Doctors Laboratory GBS tests have met these demanding requirements.
Home-testing kits

The Doctors Laboratory*
The Doctors Laboratory has privately provided the ECM test for group B Strep carriage for over 14 years and is Group B Strep Support’s preferred provider. Order your test by clicking the button belowIf you have any questions about TDL’s service, please get in touch with them directly on 0207 307 7373 or email them at gbs@tdlpathology.com .
Other organisations that provide the ‘gold standard’ ECM test for group B Strep include:
- Group B Strep Test (uses TDL’s laboratory services)*
GBS testing at home
One of the easiest ways to do a group B Strep test is to order a DIY testing kit from a supplier offering Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) tests. These kits are available from around £40 and you can expect the results within 3 working days of the company receiving your samples. The results are initially sent by test.
Collecting the required swab samples, both vaginal and rectal, is straightforward. The DIY kits come with comprehensive instructions and a visual guide to help. To ensure sample quality, it’s advisable to send the swabs to the laboratory between Monday and Thursday, so they’re not sitting in the postal system longer than necessary, as the samples deteriorate over time. mitigating any unnecessary delays in the postal system.
Those listed on this page use the ‘gold standard’ Enriched Culture Medium (or ECM) test for group B Strep carriage, as recognised by Public Health England and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The ECM tests provided by these suppliers are much more reliable than a standard NHS swab test – you can read more about the types of test here.
If you use a group B Strep home testing pack, please follow the instructions carefully, and keep the insert for future reference.
If you are or have recently been taking antibiotics, please be aware this may affect your GBS test result. Please discuss this with your health professional.
Please note that we at GBSS receive no commission or referral fees from tests sales. The organisations that support the charity’s vital work financially are identified by a * next to their name. We may feature the organisation(s) with which we have partnerships more prominently than others.
If you have any questions about Group B Strep, please call our helpline
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
0330 120 0796
Or email us at info@gbss.org.uk