To wonder why 100 people would go to A&E for covid tests?!

TableFlowerss · 2020-09-16T17:40:34+00:00

Just heard on the news. I could understand 1/2 people thinking it might be a good idea but 100 people wandering to A&E to try and get tests??! What on earth are people thinking? And folk wonder why it’s spreading like wildfire when so many people clearly though that was a good idea....🙈🙈🙈

Averyslover · 16/09/2020 18:42

Because the can’t get tests online at the moment? For so many people living in poverty they can’t afford to take time off just in case or travel over 100 miles for a test.

It’s not right of course but I can understand why.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 16/09/2020 18:47

@Averyslover

Because the can’t get tests online at the moment? For so many people living in poverty they can’t afford to take time off just in case or travel over 100 miles for a test.

It’s not right of course but I can understand why.

This. If you're on a zero hour contract on NMW, you'll probably be entitled to no more than SSP of £95.85 per week.

ChaChaCha2012 · 16/09/2020 18:47

Is that 100 people across the country or at one hospital? Given the vast numbers of people who cannot get a test, and are very scared of losing their income, I can understand why some would be desperate enough to do it.

butterpuffed · 16/09/2020 18:52

100 at the hospital in Bolton , which has the highest infection rate

NewDOOFUSfor20 · 16/09/2020 18:55

The same reason people turn up to A&E when they can't get a gp appointment. The amount of people we've turned away when they've come in requesting a test is pretty phenomenal.

SocraticJunkieWannabe · 16/09/2020 18:58

Because they're absolutely desperate and can't get a test any other way? Obviously it's not sensible but we are in desperate times and people are frustrated and frightened and not thinking straight.

ChaChaCha2012 · 16/09/2020 19:02

This is covered on the Manchester Evening News. People that can get tests online are having to travel to Wales. The walk in test centres are having to turn people away as there are so many people attending that they cannot cope with demand. So people are turning to A&E in desperation.

It's not something I would do, but I do understand it. People need to go to work to feed their families, if they don't get a test within four days of symptoms they have to isolate for the full two weeks. They cannot afford to go onto SSP for that time, so will do anything possible to avoid it.

VinylDetective · 16/09/2020 19:03

Because they’re fuckwits. Like all the stupid people who think it’s the place to go with earache or constipation.

yeOldeTrout · 16/09/2020 19:05

coz they are told to take this virus very seriously and that it's incredibly dangerous.

FatCatThinCat · 16/09/2020 19:08

Desperation. Nobody goes to A&E for a jolly.

VinylDetective · 16/09/2020 19:12

@FatCatThinCat

Desperation. Nobody goes to A&E for a jolly.

You’d be surprised.

SantaClaritaDiet · 16/09/2020 19:13

because they are getting desperate?

Why do people used to go to A&E before for a cold or a minor issue? Because they couldn't be seen by a GP....

FrankiesKnuckle · 16/09/2020 19:13

@FatCatThinCat You'd be surprised. Seriously.
People do go to ED for a jolly, the same ones that'll order a deliveroo of KFC and leave the bones all over the place. It happens.

BritneyS · 16/09/2020 19:18

People who need medical assistance have two routes into the NHS: an appointment at a GP surgery or turning up at A&E. The former involves navigating crappy opening hours, busy phone lines, overworked and annoyed receptionists and intense demand for appointments. The latter has few restraints. Why would people not do the latter?

If you desperately need a Covid test and can’t get through on the system then why would people not be turning up at A&E? What is the alternative here?

Can’t believe it’s only 100.

DumplingsAndStew · 16/09/2020 19:26

What did all these people do back in March when tests were only being given to those who were hospitalised?

Original poster

TableFlowerss · 16/09/2020 19:28

@BritneyS

People who need medical assistance have two routes into the NHS: an appointment at a GP surgery or turning up at A&E. The former involves navigating crappy opening hours, busy phone lines, overworked and annoyed receptionists and intense demand for appointments. The latter has few restraints. Why would people not do the latter?

If you desperately need a Covid test and can’t get through on the system then why would people not be turning up at A&E? What is the alternative here?

Can’t believe it’s only 100.

And do they tested in A&E then? Because if they don’t, then it’s completely pointless for themselves and everyone else.

OP posts:

BritneyS · 16/09/2020 19:28

Just didn’t get tested. March was before the testing campaign and before the social responsibility was really promoted.

BritneyS · 16/09/2020 19:30

And do they tested in A&E then? Because if they don’t, then it’s completely pointless for themselves and everyone else.
Not as far as I know. But if you’re not sure and you can’t get anywhere online and you can’t get through on the phone, you can see the train of thought surely. Desperation will be playing a major part.

DumplingsAndStew · 16/09/2020 19:32

@BritneyS

Just didn’t get tested. March was before the testing campaign and before the social responsibility was really promoted.

There was definitely a social responsibility. People were expected to isolate themselves and their household at home for two weeks.

pandafunfactory · 16/09/2020 19:33

People come to ED when they can't cope with what they're faced with. Sometimes they are right, heart attack, arm hanging off, vomiting blood etc. Sometimes their needs would be best met elsewhere but there are barriers in the way. It's no surprise this has happened and no they won't have been tested unless they needed to be admitted.

nanbread · 16/09/2020 19:34

I wouldn't be surprised if there was some viral social media post saying that there were thousands of tests in hospitals for NHS staff so go in there and demand one of their if you can't get one through the normal route.

RepeatSwan · 16/09/2020 19:39

Rather than blaming the pretty small number of people, take a look at what the hell is wrong with Britain that people might end up in rent arrears or unable to feed their family if they self-isolate. The pandemic in the UK has shown how broken our welfare state, health, social care and social work systems are.

SimpleComforts · 16/09/2020 19:41

Desperation because they can't earn a living without a test?

Can you really say you wouldn't try it if you were living hand to mouth and were forced to take time off work until tested?

BritneyS · 16/09/2020 19:41

@DumplingsAndStew sorry I meant before the real psychological manipulation started. Before the “stay home, protect the NHS, save lives”. Yes they were asking people, but they weren’t using clever tactics to actually change behaviours back then. But all irrelevant because even if people wanted to get tested, it wasn’t publicly available to everyone with symptoms back in March.

MrsMomoa · 16/09/2020 19:43

Rather than blaming the pretty small number of people, take a look at what the hell is wrong with Britain that people might end up in rent arrears or unable to feed their family if they self-isolate. The pandemic in the UK has shown how broken our welfare state, health, social care and social work systems are.

100% This.