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 it is. Or a healthy and sick divide.

Aren't they still free if a GP has asked you to get one (look on ordering site)

I didn't know this however this only helps if you don't need to see the GP within the next however many working days it takes for them to come.

Why are people still taking LFTs??????????????????
The government dosen't care why should we???????
I'm done with all the LFTs me!!!
Call me selfish I don't care, take it up with your bloody MP if you like.

"asked by GP or healthcare provider" is specifically listed on the eligibility criteria lists for Wales and Northern Ireland's pages, but I don't see it on Scotland or England's lists.

I think it’s unreasonable of the GP to ask for a test to be done now that they’re no longer free but also it’s unreasonable to lie to the doctor that you’ve done a test. Just say that it’s lasted for x days, unable to access a covid test unless the GP can provide one

Can anyone get a £2 one from tesco for your mum? Or anywhere else that sells them?

Please don't. I'm a GP - if you tell me you can't afford one, we might be able to do one for you in the practice, or we might see you in our 'hot room' where we see those who may have covid rather than in a different room.

Person whose job is to diagnose sick and possibly infectious people refusing to see people who appear to be ill. Why on Earth are people putting up with this?

Prior to 2020, did GPs insist that your were not showing signs of illness before being seen?

When I were a young 'un, the doctors consisted of two rooms. A waiting room and the consultation room. If you were ill, you went to the docs and just sat in the waiting room (no appointments or receptionists) next to all the other ill people and asked the room who was last. Often the waiting room door opened and someone popped their head round. If they were not ill enough to wait, they went away again. When the GP was free, a bell rung in the waiting room and the patient then walked through the adjoining door. The only staff member there was the GP and the whole system worked like a charm.

Yes, I have been to the dentist a lot recently including in July 2020 when they reopened and not once have I been asked if I have any symptoms, or have done a LFT. Yes, they are all masked up but even so.
Seems to be a reason now just to say no.

I have had DS at our GP, childrens A&E and paeds urology ward and theatre this weekend and no one asked him, me or DH to do a lateral flow test. Your GP IBVVVU

Of course it is - only a mentalist would think it wasn't. Tests are £1.75 in savers so god knows where people get £15 from.

So you need to call the GP and explain the situation, and see what they advise.

This isn't rocket science.

I tested positive for Covid yesterday. My throat is so sore and it's the main symptom aside from fatigue. It's perfectly reasonable to ask for a LFT. It's still present and very unpleasant and causes disruptions to peoples' lives.

Surely if they ask you take a test they want to see proof of the result, so lying is not possible.

YUBU, apart from anything else Covid symptoms can be very similar to tonsillitis so medically it makes sense to rule that out. Saying that my GP was happy to see my snotty, coughing, feverish DD in person last week without a test ( we had done one anyway).

You can get a pack of five under £10.

Lying about it is unreasonable. Explaining you can't take an LFT because you can't afford one is not unreasonable, and I bet the GP will find a way to a free test before the appointment.

Our local Tesco Express sells LFT for £2.

I would say no because he doesn't have 'a cough' he has copd.

I mean do what you like but pointless ranting is only raising your own BP surely? What do you actually have to say to the OP’s question (as opposed to going off on a tangent?).

@LFT I wouldn’t lie but I would say I don’t have any tests, can’t get one (cost, logistics, whatever) so what do they suggest as I still need to access healthcare. If there is no solution forthcoming I’d complain to the practice manager and use 111 (strategically out of hours) to access a HCP.

It's horrific to lie. It's not ok to expose your GP

Jeez, you even have to ask?

They might be concerned they might pass covid to one of their patients with cancer, as well as being concerned about being off sick.

I would say no because he doesn't have 'a cough' he has copd.

I agree with this. I cough with allergies and say no if I'm asked.

Regarding the original question I wouldn't lie about taking a test but I do think if a doctor, dentist etc wants one done they should be providing the tests.

Something wrong with your keyboard?

I think it's OK to tell the GP that you can't access a test, but not OK to lie.