Is it unreasonable to lie about lateral flows?

[LFT]

If a person was unwell and had been for some time and wasn't getting better (issues with their throat, possible tonsillitis) and the GP asks them to take a lateral flow before visiting, is it unreasonable for them to lie and say they have when they haven't due to cost and needing to see the Dr asap.

Yes, very unreasonable.
LFT’s are still free in my local pharmacies, why would you put the GP and other patients at risk?

Yes. It is already difficult to see GPs and it will be even more difficult if they have to take time off sick because of covid or pass it onto someone who is vulnerable.

They’re not free here! Isn’t this just going to turn into another rich/poor divide? You can only see a gp if you have £15 to spend on a lateral flow?

They aren't free here either.

It isn't unreasonable, if it was that important to them they would provide them for free. It's them that insist on taking it, not you.

£15!! thats outrageous. They are £1.99 in B&M here.

£15? Where on earth do you pay that price?

YABU to lie to your GP

If you've been ill for some time you'll be over the infectious period if it's Covid.

They're not free here and I think it's unreasonable for a GP to ask unless they provide them like hospitals do before procedures.

My dad can't see a Dr because they constantly ask does he have a cough yes he does its copd he has long term asthma too so they won't let him book an appointment because he is coughing 🤔 but he has fucking COPD the receptionist won't let him book one despite this and he is reluctant to go to the Dr's anyway so he won't protest too hard he tells them I've had the same cough for forty years they say you can't come if your coughing

Fucking shambles

YANBU

I also think its unreasonable of your GP to ask for one. Not everyone has spare money to spend on them.

Go and see your GP.

There £2 in Tesco. The £15 ones are probably the fit to fly ones?

Ask them to provide one for you if it's a requirement

Yes it is unreasonable. GP could get sick and pass it to other vulnerable patients and be off for longer. GP should have a mechanism to see covid pos patients or people whose covid status is unknown - so person should say they have no money for covid test but feel v unwell.

If gp refuses to see patient, but patient needs to be seen, then they should go to a&e. This should not have to happen - there is a problem in the system that is not the patient’s fault, but I think these would be the options.

Agree, some people don't even have a spare £2!

Aye for 1 test

This isn't me btw. It's a family member. My mum thinks she's being really unreasonable, I know she's really struggling financially and don't think she was.

I went to the dentist and dh had a hospital appt recently ,both rooting around in our mouths and we weren't asked to do a LFT. This just seems like another way to keep patients out of surgeries.

You can still order a pack for free on the gov website if you are asked to by your "GP or other healthcare professional" or if you are being admitted to hospital for tests or procedures and have been asked to test. They take about 3 days to arrive though as they used to.

@Isaidnoalready - I’m so sorry this really shouldn’t happen. Would they see him if he had a LFT? If he gets a recurrent cough but requires LFT, then gp should provide it.

Yep. Agree. Another obstacle.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I don’t know anyone who is still testing anyway.

I don’t think it’s a reasonable requirement of GPs as lateral flow tests do cost money (albeit a small amount) and not everyone can afford it. Plus the rest of the world is getting on with it, so should GPs. Either provide a free test, or drop the requirement. I’m not asked to do an LFT for outpatient hospital appts, just wear mask and take usual precautions.

Yabu.

Yes I know you shouldn’t have to pay to see the GP, welcome to the new era, it sucks.

Doesn’t mean it’s ok to lie to the GP about the risk you take with their health though. Being a GP is scary these days and pretty much the only thing they can do to protect themselves is ask you to LFT.

I was just going to say what someone else has just said. I don't see going into a surgery for a procedure is any different to going because you're ill.
Ring the surgery and ask them for a test if you haven't already.