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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can’t get a bloody test

39 replies

Pud2 · 11/09/2020 20:30

The Covid test situation is a bloody shambles. Have been trying all day (SW London). Nothing. Had three gadgets at the ready at 8pm when they release more. Managed to get a test slot but when I pressed confirm the site crashed and I’d lost it. By 8:05, no tests available.

What do I do? I turned up at a site without an appointment and they wouldn’t let me in. No home test kits available. I could cry it’s so frustrating.

OP posts:
RedCatBlueCat · 11/09/2020 20:34

And even if you get a test, you might not get a result for ages. Kids been out of school for a week already. Isolation for the oldest means he can he back at school on Tues. And we still dont have a test result.

Chillyourbeans · 11/09/2020 20:38

Absolute fucking shambles. 17 kids from eldest's class have been sent home with possible symptoms. School is sure they just have colds but won't take them back without a negative test. None of the families can get a test sorted - no home tests, no drive throughs, no walk-ins. They're in Year 11 and out of school after only being back 3 days.

SweepTheHalls · 11/09/2020 20:40

Keep re doing the form, Ive just managed to get one for tomorrow

Zoecarter · 11/09/2020 20:43

I got one today at about 10:30 after trying for 3 hrs it seams like they release them threw the day. It took my mate 2 days for home kit

Anthilda · 11/09/2020 20:46

Keep refreshing it. Frustrating, but just keep checking every so often.
Hopefully you get one very soon.

Original poster
Pud2 · 11/09/2020 20:46

Does anyone know what time they release them? I know 8pm but any other times?

OP posts:
Anthilda · 11/09/2020 20:48

On the hour, ever hour is best to check

ListenLinda · 11/09/2020 20:50

I tried at 5pm on way to getting kids from nursery, nothing. Tried again at 8 and had various options for the next morning. Hope you get something soon OP.

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 11/09/2020 20:55

I tried for 3 hours this afternoon. No post tests, no walk ins , no drive ins. (Sussex) Had the option to change my post code. So tried from my parents (Kent) and Brothers (Surrey) - nothing ..

It's a fucking shambles.

Thirtyrock39 · 11/09/2020 20:58

For our area (east mids) I tried without success for a couple of days then they released a load at 10am
(Dh was at this exact time at a walk in centre without an apt and they let him join the q)
It's an absolute shambles I'm so upset my perfectly healthy year 7 is missing school so early because her little brother has a cold with cough - argh!!! I know we have to do this isolation till test but it's so stressful

Thirtyrock39 · 11/09/2020 20:59

We've now been waiting 31 hours for results and I'm just hoping this isn't going to be the next thing to stress about as I though we might have heard by now - crossing everything we have a negative result ASAP so everyone back to work and school by Monday

Rubbleonthedouble1 · 11/09/2020 21:02

We kept on checking the site in the end and managed to get one. Results were texted to me 5 am the next morning. The lack of slots is awful!

Tidypidy · 11/09/2020 21:05

We kept trying every hour from 8:30 am to 8 pm. First offer was 440miles away!!! Eventually got one 20 miles away. Test at 9 am yesterday. Results at 6:15 this morning. Thankfully all negative. You just have to be persistent.

queenjaneappro · 11/09/2020 21:12

Does anyone know what time they release them? I know 8pm but any other times?

I was told 8am, and did manage to order a home test at bang on 8am yesterday morning. It has literally just been delivered...

Original poster
Pud2 · 11/09/2020 21:22

It shouldn’t be this difficult. It’s not rocket science. Surely it was obvious that more tests would be needed when schools went back?

OP posts:
BullshitVivienne · 11/09/2020 21:24

The holiday companies need to stop flying to places that require a negative test, as a lot of people are booking NHS tests for this reason.

frazzledasarock · 11/09/2020 21:26

Ring NHS direct, they’re able to send out home tests.

minipie · 11/09/2020 21:28

@Pud2 there is a walk in mobile unit at Worlds End tomorrow

www.rbkc.gov.uk/newsroom/all-council-statements/mobile-testing-unit-worlds-end-estate

There may be a long queue...

Original poster
Pud2 · 11/09/2020 21:30

[quote minipie]@Pud2 there is a walk in mobile unit at Worlds End tomorrow

www.rbkc.gov.uk/newsroom/all-council-statements/mobile-testing-unit-worlds-end-estate

There may be a long queue...[/quote]
Thanks very much. I may be in that very long queue...

OP posts:
NameChange110920 · 11/09/2020 21:30

Isn’t there a number you can call now? Something like 119?

tinytemper66 · 11/09/2020 21:32

I tried to get one for a vulnerable person this week. No credit history so no online test; rang for home test kit but wa s unable to get one. Upshot is he has to self isolate until the 14 days are up as it is now after 5 days after symptoms first started. I am in Wales.

moostermum · 11/09/2020 21:35

I went online this morning and got options for tests at 10am. We had to travel 20 miles though.

Original poster
Pud2 · 11/09/2020 21:37

@NameChange110920

Isn’t there a number you can call now? Something like 119?
Lines too busy. Told to ring back later.
OP posts:
wegetthejobdone · 11/09/2020 21:41

I found home tests released at 8am and drive in/walk in just after 10am. But postal tests seem to be taking a lot longer to come back so I would keep trying for a testing centre if you need a quick result.

Torvean32 · 11/09/2020 21:49

I think they need to change the protocol on who needs testing. 37000 tested in first 2 weeks back in Scotland around 40 were positive.
There are schools getting whole year groups tested

111 is impossible to get through for a medical emergency as theyre dealing with calls about tests.

Im not blaming parents here. I think the govt have screwed up. And some schools are demanding tests when they are not necessary.