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.
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
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.
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.
There is a list online of pharmacies that provide free covid tests. Often, though, I find they are out of stock.
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.
Thanks. Will keep on trying.
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.
Hi, your local health centre will be able to give you them. Your doctor/haematologist should support you with this.
Yes, collected some in August. We did try a few pharmacies before we found one that stocked them.
I am still trying.
Certainly in Scotland they are available and I get them sent and also report results at
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.
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.
Absolutely shocking!
That's very bad luck. I've had more luck in Edinburgh. Phoned NHS Lothian helpline at 9am on Friday, contacted by a very knowledgeable pharmacist 2 hours later. She liaised with a haematologist ( she wanted me to pause my ruxolitinib as shown on guidelines and I demurred. Haematologist agreed with me). Anti virals delivered at 4.30pm. Not a miraculous cure but my temperature stabilised within 12 hours which kept me from having to phone cancer helpline. I was just out of hospital having had a chest infection so didn't want to go back! Unfortunately must have caught it there. Husband has it now so I'm not very popular. Ordered some more tests first thing on Friday morning. They usually appear within 24 hours but didn't come yesterday. Hopefully will appear tomorrow but no rush as clearly we are still ill - not exactly just a bad cold as some dismiss it. (We were supposed to have our winter vaccines yesterday!) My daughter, not entitled to free ones, bought some tests for herself from Amazon. They were the same make but cheaper than ones I see Boots sell online.
Our Waitrose sells single tests
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!
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.
Yes, it is dreadful that the very vulnerable are put at risk.
My local Boots do stock them but they seem to get a limited supply that they are allowed to give out. when I ask for a test they usually try to direct me to ones I have to pay for. I then have to explain and have a printout of how is eligible for free tests. Whoever I speak to has to go off and check. There is usually only one person in the shop who seems to know about them. I then have to produce all my paperwork which they read through and I have to fill in and sign a form. Bit of a faff for 5 tests but I feel we are entitled to them. No one seems bothered by covid anymore. I find it quite odd that people who live in a house with someone who is immunosuppressed can get a free flu vaccine but not a covid booster this autumn. Personally I would still rather catch the flu than covid.
As you say. Each to his own. After seeing how ill my daughter was recently with Covid. I will carry o. With the vaccinations
hi just to let you know I did get a box from Boots I did have to pay because I didn’t inform them of my leukaemia. I went back the next day with confirmation and they gave me a free box. Just in case you didn’t inform them they said they do get them for us but we have to show our condition. I live in Liverpool
My husband tested positive for Covid over the weekend (2 days before he was due to be vaccinated; will find out whether my own 2 week old vaccination has done its thing.)
Pyramid pharmacy gave me a pack of 5 tests; they have a list of eligible conditions with a blanket 'cancer' listing so were happy for me to have them without paying this time.
That's great, there seems to be a lot of people on this site getting them for free, gives me the encouragement to continue looking.
ONS and Oxford University Covid test
Covid Antibodies and MPNs
Covid 
