Twin Visit

Twin Visit

Booking Your Visit

  • Admin team will get in touch to book a visit.
  • Available dates will be suggested.
  • A suitable date will be confirmed by phone/email.
  • A confirmation email will be sent with a link to complete the online consent forms and questionnaires prior to the visit.
  • Travel reimbursement will be explained. Please note we can only reimburse for travel, not other daily expenses.
  • Accommodation will be arranged where applicable.
  • A complimentary lunch voucher is offered at the visit.

Visit Packs (Sent 2 Weeks Before Visit)

  • Appointment Letter
  • Stool kit
  • Urine kit
  • Transport Information / Map
  • Accommodation information (if applicable)

You may receive a reminder call, email, or text in the lead-up to your visit.

Travel to St Thomas' Hospital

For directions, please visit St Thomas’ Travel Info. You may also find the London Journey Planner helpful.

Parking is very limited at St Thomas’ Hospital, so whenever possible we would encourage you to use public transport. Car park charges are displayed at the entrance and is a pay on foot facility so please make sure you have the correct change. Please note the hospital is within the congestion charge zone so you would need to factor this into your travel claim.

Disabled Parking

There is limited disabled parking bays at St Thomas’ Hospital. To be eligible for free disabled parking you will need to show your appointment letter to Main Reception with your blue badge in order to be issued with a free exit ticket to use at exit barrier.

Transport for London

Blue badge holders can also apply for exemption from the congestion charge.– please visit transport for London’s website for further information Transport for London website.

Preparing for your Twin Visit

  • Bring completed paperwork (if applicable).
  • Bring urine and stool samples (if applicable).
  • Bring a light meal (sandwich etc) to break your fast.
  • Wear loose comfortable clothes and a top with sleeves that can be rolled up easily.
  • Wear flat comfortable shoes that can be taken on and off easily.
  • Please note you will be asked to remove any metal fastenings, jewellery, or body piercings before having the bone density scan.

At the visit

Currently, you may be offered some or all of the following tests:

  • Sample collection such as hair, saliva and stool samples
  • Blood test (includes cholesterol and diabetes check) and DNA for analysis
  • Blood Pressure
  • Height and Weight
  • Lung Function Test
  • Grip Strength Test
  • Computer tasks assessing memory and cognition
  • Strength and balance test (non-strenuous)
  • Bone density DXA scan (can reveal future risks of fractures)
  • Biopsy such as a skin sample (eligibility criteria apply)
  • Various eye tests

For a more detailed explanation of some of these tests and why we do them, please click here.

Tea Break (15 minutes) followed by further tests

Your Feedback

After your visit you will be asked for your feedback so that we can continue to improve the twin visit experience.

Your Data & Samples

  • Your biological samples are sent to the lab for processing, logging and storage.
  • The lab team performs DNA extraction using manual and automated procedures from whole blood and saliva.
  • Your clinical & questionnaire data is entered into the secure database.
  • The research team will use the data and sample analysis to explore current research questions.

Receiving your results

  • You will receive clinically useful results for you and your GP between 6 to 8 weeks after your visit.
  • Some non-clinical results will be provided on the day.
  • You will receive your results via email.
  • For a more detailed explanation of the test results, you will receive, please click here.

We hope you enjoyed your visit! Thank you so much for your continued support!