Free Lateral flow tests

[Jacqbox]

l am having problems getting free Covid Lateral Flow Tests. I qualify for free LFT as I take immunosuppressant medication & have letter confirming this. Have never had problems getting from local Boots pharmacy but a very unhelpful pharmacist told me that the government don’t do them anymore. Is this correct, NHS website still says they are free for qualifying people. Are others having a similar problem. Thank you for your help

[J1707-]

strange got mine from boots on Saturday. My pharmacy are very good with communication and they haven’t said anything. We still need anti virals so how would we know if we need them

[Jacqbox in reply to J1707-]

Thank you for your reply, very helpful. I was a bit surprised that a pharmacist the wrong information

[Annscottie]

Hi Jacqbox

I got mine from Boots 10 days ago. I think the pharmacist in your Boots branch was not well informed.

You've maybe looked online already but this is the nhs website which gives information about free lateral flow tests and a link to which pharmacy local to you has them.

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

Good luck!

[Jacqbox in reply to Annscottie]

Thank you for your helpful reply. I did check on the NHS website & got the information. Unfortunately the local pharmacy the site gives me

[Jacqbox in reply to Jacqbox]

does not give out free LFTs. Not sure why this pharmacy is listed. I will keep trying

[sule in reply to Annscottie]

Thank you for this information.

[AgedCrone]

If you google “free lateral flow tests” a screen comes up where you can put in your postcode and it will tell you, where are you can find a local pharmacy still providing them.

[Jacqbox in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you for your help. I will keep trying

[Pulfs in reply to AgedCrone]

How many in box that they give you. Last time I had some only one in a box so had to ask for two

[AgedCrone in reply to Pulfs]

Don’t know…last time I got 7… but that was ages ago. I don’t bother now. .I had Covid once & it was no big deal…..so now I Just forget it.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Pulfs]

Should be 7 tests in the box.

[Pulfs in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Don’t know why she gave a single test box 🤔 just ordered some from Amazon couldn’t be bothered going there again

[Annscottie in reply to Pulfs]

My box from Boots had 5 tests in it

[KylaC in reply to Pulfs]

Mine had 5 in the box

[Amnesiac3637]

I don’t think your unhelpful pharmacist has a clue. I picked up my LFT from my local, independent pharmacy yesterday with no fuss or problem.

[Jacqbox in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I agree, he was so rude to me in front of a lot of people. I did ring Boots main phone number & the person I spoke to had even less knowledge. Thank you for your reply

[Lolabridge in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Yes I get mine without any problem from local pharmacy

[Jackie1947]

Pharmacist has no clue and you can get them at any chemist if you qualify.

[Jacqbox in reply to Jackie1947]

Worrying as we are encouraged to visit pharmacist's for advice on so many things now. I will keep trying. Thank you for replying

[Scottishlad]

It seems that you only qualify for free tests if you are eligible for antiviral treatments.

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

In Scotland I can get mine on-line following the appropriate link in above web page.

[Jacqbox in reply to Scottishlad]

Thank you for your reply. I do qualify for antivirals due to the medication I am taking & have a letter from my Rheumatologist as confirmation. Made no difference to his attitude. I will keep trying or buy some if I can

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Jacqbox]

Try a different pharmacy and forget Boots.

[Braecoon in reply to Scottishlad]

I concur with Scottishlad, if you live in Scotland the online covid tests can be ordered on line and delivered to your home address within a few days. Just ordered mine 2 days ago - fairly straight forward. If you are not tech confident, get help from a family member or friend to set up the online account.

[Jacqbox in reply to Braecoon]

Thank you for your reply. It seems Scotland has a much better system of ordering LFT’s as in England.

[Braecoon in reply to Jacqbox]

Yes, it seems to be the case with the online portal as we can also book our covid/flu vax online with Scottish NHS Inform. I suspect it was developed because of the vast geographical remoteness of parts of Scotland. Praise indeed where it is due, however, only main downside is if people are not confident about using technology. The online portal does have a video to show people how to register and use the online booking - another positive endorsement to well thought out education/help/support to offset this potential problem.

Just wish other health services could be improved. Just found out I had fallen off Rheumatology list, apparently someone forgot to transfer me to new Rheumatologist’s list when my one left the department!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jackNruby2]

Hi I get mine from direct.gov xx

[Jacqbox in reply to jackNruby2]

Thank you for your reply. I will try direct.gov