Free nhs covid tests

[Hydrox]

Just wondering if anyone still gets the free covid tests. I have asked various pharmacies including Boots. None of them stock free tests. Even asked at my hospital pharmacy and they don't even sell them now. They suggested asking the haematology department which I will on next appointment. Everyone keeps saying we don't need them anymore.

After my daughters last bout of covid, I think that we do, she was very poorly for 10 days.

Fortunately I did not get it this time.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hi Hydrox, the NHS website does say:

If you have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments, you may be able to pick up free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy.

But it does only say 'may be able to' and there is a link to find a pharmacy that offers free tests.

nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-1...

I hope your daughter is feeling much better now.

Best wishes, Maz

[Hydrox in reply to Mazcd]

Thanks for that Mazcd, my daughter is on the mend as they say. I will re check the NHS site and see if I can find a pharmacy there

[Sodabread]

I managed to get the free Covid test pack today at a local pharmacy. All I had to do was give my NHS number and name d.o.b and post code.

We went on line to identify which pharmacies locally supplied this service which included Boots.

Hope this helps.

[Hydrox in reply to Sodabread]

Just been checking online and have a number of pharmacies to check.Will start asking tomorrow.

Fingers crossed.

[MCW22]

I got a pack recently from my local chemist and they didn't even ask for proof of eligibility. I had a letter on me just in case I needed proof saying I'm eligible for treatment.

[Hydrox in reply to MCW22]

I will take a letter with me when I try the pharmacists listed on the NHS site and see what happens.

[Ramy22]

There is a list online of pharmacies that provide free covid tests. Often, though, I find they are out of stock.

[Cassandra61]

Morning,We can still get the free tests, I think. I used the link that Maz has posted and went along to my Pharmacy. There was a certain amount of waving letters about and reeling off diseases with long names on my part, but they happily let me have a box of tests and said I could go back for more if need be. Try it , you need the tests. Hoping you and yours keep well.

[Hydrox in reply to Cassandra61]

Thanks. Will keep on trying.

[Maxpenny]

my local health board sent a letter to me stating I was classed as vulnerable therefore could have a free covid lateral flow test once a month. I have a code to log on for it. It is sent in the post.

[Hydrox in reply to Maxpenny]

Worth a try, will do so, thank you.

[Maxpenny in reply to Hydrox]

I live in Scotland and it was after doctor put hydroxy on my prescription that I received the letter. In it it also details about the medication I could get if I catch covid. Hope you get yours ok.

[T1960]

Hi, your local health centre will be able to give you them. Your doctor/haematologist should support you with this.

[Hydrox in reply to T1960]

Not up to now, but have got my letter ready for future use.

[Conneryfan1]

Yes, collected some in August. We did try a few pharmacies before we found one that stocked them.

[Hydrox in reply to Conneryfan1]

I am still trying.

[quanglewangle]

Certainly in Scotland they are available and I get them sent and also report results at

nhsscot.service-now.com/cov...

[gset]

we have had issues as all our local pharmacies have stopped providing them, and the Boots pharmacy who did is being taken over too. I have written to our local mp about it, as the pharmacies who have stopped are NHS branded pharmacies. There also appears to be a shortage to buy in my area currently.

[nellietheelephamt in reply to gset]

Same here in rural Scotland but I did manage to buy a pack of 5 online. When I had COVID I was phoned by an out of hours GP who prescribed (wait for it) paracetamol so my friend had a 60 miles round trip to pick up 16 paracetamol. No antiviral drugs as they "are no better than placebos". The following day I was in intensive care.

[mhos61 in reply to nellietheelephamt]

Absolutely shocking!

[Hydrox in reply to gset]

Same here, although my hospital pharmacy suggested contacting my haematology dept. Which I will do next week.

[RoundTheWorld]

Our Waitrose sells single tests

[azaelea]

We are entitled to free Covid testing kits, having been diagnosed with MPN. I had bad Covid in August and discovered the test kit I had at home which was sent to us all previously by NHS was just one month out of date, so used this initially. I requested some more test kits from my local pharmacy after suffering for three weeks and being in hospital 2 days. They contacted my GP and delivered some tests to me so that I could find out when clear. Like others who’ve replied, you’ll probably have to show them proof from any letters you have from Haematology that you have an MPN.

I must add here that when I was admitted to hospital I was put into an ordinary Medical emergency Ward which had 5 other ladies , quite elderly, and not told to wear a mask. None of the nurses wore masks and when I enquired why Covid patients were not isolated I was informed that “Oh no, we don’t do that any more” I am still astounded by this. It’s no wonder it stays as a threat when the public are told they can mix as normal when they know they have Covid. Just had to vent my feelings!

[Hydrox in reply to azaelea]

Yes, that is the problem. Everyone keeps telling me it's just like the flu now you don't need to isolate or anything else, which is why nothing is available. Unfortunately that is not the case for everyone. I will keep trying pharmacies until I get the free tests.