Very curious about GB covid testing

[smilelines]

I live in Canada. I was speaking with a friend who said in GB you go to the chemist and pick up packs of five covid tests for free and test yourself even if you are vaccinated. Just wondering if this is true and how it works. Do you test yourself everyday? In Alberta our ICU’s are full with unvaccinated and even some vaccinated people.

[Kerensa21]

Yes anyone can pick up free packs of 7 lateral flow tests to do themselves at home, but all voluntary (they’re just handy if you develop symptoms or are worried you’ve been in close contact), from chemists etc.

They are not as accurate as pcr (polymerase chain reaction) tests (only 41% I got told by 111) and don’t check for variant. So you’re advised if you test positive to then apply for pcr test by ringing 111 or sending for one in post via govt website: they arrive quickly, I’ve done one.

You say even if vaccinated but my double vaxxed close family members all went down with it despite this (not hospitalised but poorly for couple of weeks). Think

that’s about right 🙂

[Hidden]

Lateral flow tests are the normal for a lot people because of their jobs. I work in a primary school and test at home twice a week or I can go to a chemist who will do the same thing. If you test positive then you go to a government test centre for a PCR test. It doesn’t matter whether your vaccinated or not . My son is visiting from Canada also Alberta he couldn’t believe how easily these tests are available.

[Boxerlady]

I've had the lateral flow tests delivered through the post - order them online as I do one the day before I'm due to work out of the house (I still do some work online.) When I went to the chemist today she offered me some - gave me two boxes!My husband wasn't well a couple of weeks ago and although we both had negative lateral flow test results I rang for advice and the lady agreed that we could both have PCR tests as he'd obviously got some sort of virus. She advised me to order them online, say that he had symptoms and say that we had no transport (I didn't think that he was well enough to go to a centre) and they arrived through the post within a couple of days. Both negative, thankfully and he recovered slowly.

I think that this is something we've done pretty well at although obviously no test is 100% accurate.

[Jacey15 in reply to Boxerlady]

Sone studies have shown that when used by non medical staff they are only 50% accurate. It would be cheaper to toss a coin!

[bpeal1]

Yes I collect lateral flow tests from our local chemist for free. You’re supposed to use them twice a week not everyday but I have done them more frequently occasionally when I feel under the weather and my son did use them daily when he had a positive case in his class.

[Bookworm55]

I have used lateral flow tests at home twice a week since April when they became available and lots of jobs and volunteer roles ask you to do them. They are not as accurate as pcr tests as I discovered having been pinged by the app and tested positive by pcr test in August. On that same day and regularly afterwards I did lateral flow tests and every one was negative. Mind you I had no symptoms at all and was double vaccinated so the amount of virus may have been very small. Still had to self isolate for 10 days though!

[Gladders]

I collected two boxes (7 in each) from the chemist, I don't feel particularly safe when shopping or if I have to go where there's lots of people as since the 'relaxing' of rules here in England a lot of people don't wear masks, sanitize or socially distance any more so I do use the tests occasionally to check that I'm clear.

[Ascidian]

Yes, they are currently free and you can just pick them up at the pharmacy. But from next month you have to register your requirements first and are limited to 2 packs, and there are rumours that they will start charging soon

[Blueskysunshine in reply to Ascidian]

I wasn’t aware of those those changes Ascidian, thank you for highlighting them.

[Fra22-57]

Yes you can pick up from chemist for free.it encourages you to test twice a week and report result on line.if positive you have to go for a pcr test.very easy to do.When I am feeling unwell I test to reassure myself plus if mixing with others I test before and afterwards sometimes.In fact I tested couple days ago and am just about to do one now.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Every time I collect my repeated t prescription I’m asked if I want a box of 7 lateral flow covid tests. There is a mobile display caravan on the main street in our nearest town twice a week giving them out too. If the lateral flow is positive you go into isolation and have a PCR done somewhere else I think,

[ATSF]

Yes it is true if you want them. At our local chemist only a short distance away, their is a junior trainee nurse most days that will test you then and there. Our son gets issued with them with every prescription. If you want one you can ask for the test kits.

[cathie]

I’m in Scotland. I received a note from our Nhs offering me free testing kits. Received them quickly. They’ve been very useful

[thinkhappy]

Pick up packs of 7 covid tests free at the chemist( two packs if there are 2 of you in house) . I then use one if for example if my hairdresser is visiting , she does the test at home, I do the test at home and if we are both clear she comes round. My sons also use the test before they visit, its all extra precautions as we have all been double jabbed but it makes me feel safer.