Free Covid tests for vulnerable

[Jenny_F]

Does anyone know how we get free covid tests now that the government has stopped its postal service? I have looked on the NHS sites and there is no clear information. I also went to my local pharmacy and they had no idea about free tests.

[Robeets_33]

Hi, when I went on the Gov Website, it says covid tests no long available to order. To get free from pharmacy's, they may ask your medical history to see if you qualify or take hospital text or letter.

Hope this helps.

[amhann]

hi Jenny - do you have the nhs app? - if you do go in + press the advice icon - then covid 19 services, covid testing who get get free, then covid 19 treatments - there is a section on picking up from pharmacy or where to find a participating chemist - all Very longwinded!!! - but yes you should be able to pick up (I got lucky + got sent before they shut down the online ordering) x

[Jenny_F in reply to amhann]

Thanks, I did and you are right, it is long winded! It lists local pharmacies but it doesnt confirm whether they provide free tests to the vulnerable, which is annoying. I have emailed the local ICB there to see if they can confirm what I need to do going forward as I have run out.

[Jenny_F in reply to Jenny_F]

The local health trust came back to me saying that I can ask for free covid tests but that they havent got a list of pharmacies that supply them - helpful!

[moo196]

I don't think they are free for anyone any more 😏

[D1lly in reply to moo196]

Yes they are definitely still free to vulnerable from chemist

[Hydrox in reply to moo196]

Yes, they are free if you fit the criteria, finding them is the problem.

[Wyebird]

hi I did exactly the same thing and my pharmacy didn’t know either. So I bought some.

[Ipadlin]

Are you talking about the lateral flow tests? I took a letter from my hospital to our local Well Pharmacy, filled in a form with my name and NHS number and was give a pack of tests with no further questions asked.

[Hydrox]

I have been trying to locate free tests too. Boots the chemists said they were not stocking them, also tried Asda, same reply, my local chemist also does not have them.My next stop is the hospital pharmacy, which I will enquire at after Christmas. Good luck with your searching.

[MWxxxx]

If you have a look at the Blood Cancer Uk website under their Covid section there is a paragraph about not being able to order online from 16 November, but you should be able to get them from local pharmacies. However, some don't seem to know about it. There is a printable fact sheet that you can take with you but Blood Cancer Uk say they are looking into the problem.

[Tyce500]

Hi, I got some from my local pharmacy who didn't know anything about them but after a few days my husband was able to collect five free tests, they are available and were from the chemist own stock that he usually sells. The tests were positive too unfortunately 😔

[piggie50]

I got mine from Boots last week. A box of 5. Just had to fill out a form.

[Hydrox in reply to piggie50]

That is good to know. They told me they were not participating in the new system, I will go back and ask again.

[gset]

I tried the pharmacies but so many no doing it!

[Jenny_F]

its really poor of the government to remove a service that the vulnerable need, without making it clear how we are supposed to access what they state what we are entitled to on their website. Just another example of us all being treated like second class citizens.

[Spanelmad]

Checked with my chemist today and just had to fill a form in , and given 5 tests.

[Jenny_F in reply to Spanelmad]

You’re lucky, my local pharmacy insists on charging me

[moondogs3]

If you go to Covid.gov . . . you can get 4 free at home tests.

I'm not sure if you live in the states or not.

Beginning November 20, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended

[Jenny_F]

Hey, I’m based in the UK, where the government removed the service.

[moondogs3]

Well. . . that wasn't very nice of them!

[Jenny_F]

i phoned up Boots Customer Service and it was confirmed that they are supposed to provide the service but her couldn't find a branch near me that actually had the free tests. I assume the process just isnt working properly yet.