A change of plan for testing the vulnerable ... - Vasculitis UK

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A change of plan for testing the vulnerable - Government Lateral Flow tests instead of PCR tests

May7 profile image
May7
9 Replies

The other day I received a box of Lateral Flow tests in the post, quite unexpectedly. I have now received an email which explains it. We no longer have to take a PCR Test and send it off, but are to use one of the Government Lateral Flow tests. I have copied and pasted the letter below, for anybody who hasn't already received it.

"Important information about new treatments for coronavirus

Your medical records currently show you might be suitable for treatments if you get coronavirus.

You may have received a version of this letter before. It has been updated because the Government has changed the way you test for coronavirus. From 1 April you should check coronavirus symptoms using lateral flow tests, not a PCR test.

This letter explains that:

You should keep lateral flow tests at home

You should take a test if you have coronavirus symptoms. Important: You must report your test result.

If you test positive, the NHS will contact you about treatments.

For more information visit: nhs.uk/CoronavirusTreatments

Why are we sending you this letter?

Health experts have looked at the health conditions which put people at more risk from coronavirus. Those health conditions have been agreed by UK chief medical officers.

We are contacting you because your medical records currently show that you have one or more of these health conditions. This means that treatments might be suitable for you if a test confirms you have coronavirus.

These treatments can stop you from getting seriously ill and need to be given quickly after you start to have symptoms.

1. You should keep lateral flow tests at home

The UK Health Security Agency will send you one pack of lateral flow tests by 12 April. Only use them if you develop symptoms. If you run out, you can order more from gov.uk/order-coronavirus-ra... or by calling 119.

You can use any lateral flow tests supplied by the Government. Tests bought from a shop cannot currently be registered via GOV.​UK or 119 and you will not be contacted about treatment if you test positive using these tests.

If you were previously sent a PCR test you can keep it. You might be asked to take a PCR if you receive treatment from the NHS.

2. You should take a test if you have coronavirus symptoms

If you have coronavirus symptoms you should take a lateral flow test immediately, even if your symptoms are mild.

You must report your result at gov.uk/report-covid19-result or by calling 119. It’s important to provide your NHS number so you can be contacted.

If your test is negative but you still have symptoms, you should take another test on each of the next two days (three tests in total over three days).

3. If you test positive, the NHS will contact you about treatments

If any of your lateral flow tests are positive and you have reported the result, the NHS should contact you about treatment. If you are not contacted within 24 hours of your positive test, call your GP surgery, 111, or your specialist clinician (if you have one), who can make an urgent referral.

Yours sincerely

Professor Stephen Powis

National Medical Director

NHS England and NHS Improvement"

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May7 profile image
May7
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9 Replies
gilders profile image
gilders

Thanks for posting. I received the box of LFTs a good week ago, so I'll keep an eye out for the email.

EDIT: Approx 1 hour replying to this, I received the same email.

Varp profile image
Varp

Box of laterals and email received here.

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

Dear May7,

yesterdat I received a box of PCR Tests, in the post??? Fortunatly I can, and do, get Lateral Flow Tests from elsewhere (ie 'my' Headway).

I guess, so long as Vulnerable Folk- like ourselves- still receive Free Testing, it dosen't Matter to much.

Stay Safe everyone.

AndrewT

May7 profile image
May7

Hello Andrew, please note that the email tells us to use the Lateral Flows provided by the government to report back on if we get symptoms, and not any others we might have.

SandieB profile image
SandieB

Thanks for the information, i received my box but have had no letter or email as of yet so i will keep yours x

dphu profile image
dphu in reply to SandieB

Me too so your post was very helpful. Thanks

Galaxy2 profile image
Galaxy2

Yes thank you for posting, I did receive a box of lateral flow tests which surprised me as I have tried so many times (without success) to order some online. I haven’t had a letter or email so really helpful. Thank you

Barnclown profile image
Barnclown

Me too…

woollysox profile image
woollysox

Yup, same here - LFTs arrived out of the blue last week but no letter or email. Didn’t get a letter with my PCR test last year either, so thanks ever so much for letting us know what the letter actually says.

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