Your doctor has asked for you to have a John Cunningham Virus blood test, often called a JCV test.

What do I need to do?

Your doctor will have given you a request form for this test and you must bring it with you to have the test done. Please also bring your Medicare card for registration. If you don’t have Medicare, please bring your private health insurance details.

You can only have this test done at Canberra Hospital or North Canberra Hospital collection centres from Monday to Friday, between 7.30am and 4pm. This is because it is sent to another laboratory.

Please note: Medicare does not cover this test. There is a collection fee of $34.21. We will ask you to sign a form agreeing to pay for the cost of this test. We will send a bill in the mail after you get your results.

When will I get my results?

Your sample will be sent away to a laboratory in Denmark. Samples are sent every four to six weeks. Your result should be sent to your doctor six to eight weeks after sample collection.

Collection centres

For further information, please contact one of the following ACT Pathology collection centres:

Canberra Hospital Building 10 Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm and Saturdays from 8.30am to 12:15pm. Closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Canberra Hospital, Gilmore Cres, Garran (next to Centenary Hospital for Women and Children
Phone (02) 5124 2816.

North Canberra Hospital Collection Centre

Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. Closed on Sunday and public holidays.
North Canberra Hospital, 1st Floor, Marian Building, Bruce (Maternity entrance)
Phone: (02) 5124 3815 or (02) 5124 1502