NHS ECV PCR tests still functioning?

[RockChickGirl]

Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone knows if the PCR kits the ECV groups were sent are still functioning? Myself and Mum were sent them many months back and are both feeling very poorly currently. We have had 3 negative lft tests and the gp has given us two courses of antibiotic for ear / chest infections. Just wondering if it’s worth sending the pcr kits off in case? No doubt too late for antivirals but it would be useful to know if it is Covid. Many thanks!

[AgedCrone]

No they are not available free any more..if you check the NHS website for the country you live in…it explains the situation now.

[hatshepsut in reply to AgedCrone]

If you are in the immunosuppressed category, you can still get them free in Scotland. I don't know about elsewhere

[Neonkittie17]

We-were-sent-LFT/pack(s)from-the-Gov(119)registered-to-us-if/we-were-are-high-risk-in-the-UK last year(CEV as was then) and to my knowledge the procedure is still to let 119 know if you have a positive LFT so they can call the CMDU to discuss/despatch anti-virals. They-stopped-sending-out-PCR-kits last year.I’m-notsure-if-you-still-have/to-do -your-Covid-test-with-that-registered-LFT-box? Anyone??Apols-for-typing-glitch.Hope -you-and-your-Mum-feel-better-soon.

[RockChickGirl]

Thank you both for your response. We are both in the at risk group as immunosuppressed and get free LFT’s (3 x negative results), but we do still have the pcr’s we were sent and wondered if they are still actively testing them? Unsure how accurate the lft’s are with the newer variants… we’ve both been really poorly. Could be flu or something else of course but would be nice to know.

[Blackberrywine in reply to RockChickGirl]

Flu is rampant at the moment. Could be flu. Several of my neighbours wiped out by it. Hope you feel better soon.

[SkiesAboveRblue]

the tests should have an expiry date on them but at one point I was advised not to use them after 6 months.. there’s a lot going round and I’ve thought a couple of things lately may have been covid but the tests were negative. This week though it was covid and it showed up on the flowflex lfts.

[janmary]

Im not sure about PCRs but think that they are just relying on LFT’s now .

Hope you feel better soon

[Gymcactus]

If you test positive with the registered LFT s you are required to submit the result on the gov. Website. They work very well in detecting the omicron variant .

[purplfreek]

Hi. I don't think they do pcr tests any more. I work in a care home in UK and we've been doing only LFT tests for a long time now. NHS stopped sending us the pcr ones. They don't have them in hospitals either.

[RockChickGirl]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Whatever this bug is it’s a nasty one so we’ll concentrate on feeling better rather than worrying about any PCR test. Be well all

[Carolsos]

Hope you start to feel better very soon. Take care.