GP won't see DS without a covid test

[justasking111]

DS adult has been really poorly with something which has gone to his chest, when his little boy had it wound up on antibiotics and steroids.

My DIL tried to make an appointment for him but the receptionist said GP wouldn't see him without a covid test. So she went to the in-house pharmacy for a covid test kit who said we don't carry those you'll have to order elsewhere online.

Is it reasonable for GPs to still insist on covid tests when their own pharmacy doesn't carry them?

I don't think it unreasonable to ask for a test. I think this would be s responsible thing to do without being asked. If the GP .gets it then he/she viukd be ill and also not available to treat others.

Not unreasonable if he/she is using the result as a process of elimination which will affect the treatment plan.

Seems like a lot more work than just purchasing a Covid test, which are still sold at my local Boots, Superdrug, etc. Unlikely to get a reply for several days, by which time the patient will probably be better.

Could it just be that they want to rule out Covid? As for the possibility that the GP might be vulnerable etc well this is true, but no one else is insisting on Covid tests.

Remember, lots of younger people had Covid without a symptom. When I had it the second time I would have thought it was a cold.
How many people are getting on busses, going to school, attending other appointments, going to the supermarket etc with full Covid and no idea? Remember that during the height of it the most dangerous profession for catching it was a bus driver.

Of course the GP wants to protect themselves but everyone else is just getting on. Last week DH had three different appointments with different parts of the healthcare system. Some in the hospital, some in clinics. None of those required him to have a Covid test or wear a mask.

I think that this might be about testing for Covid to rule it out. If it is Covid, there’s no need for a face to face GP appointment. It’s a virus, so it can’t be treated with antibiotics. You don’t go to the GP if it’s a cold or even if it’s flu, as these are viruses.

They always say to consult your GP if symptoms persist for longer than a few days, in case you have a chest infection that requires antibiotics.

The OP’s DS should just purchase Covid tests, you can get the result in 30 minutes.

It's mad now to insist on this test. They don't insist on a flu test. Almost as mad as the NHS still wasting millions on advertising the jab.

I was recently asked to test for flu by my gp to rule it out. How's your theory now?

I presume you’re basing that opinion on having all the facts to hand? Cost of vaccines and information campaign vs cost of treatments, ambulances, inpatient treatment for those eligible for Covid vaccination?

Oh wait, I’m not presuming that at all because it’s clear you’re just bluster.

I bought a spate covid test kit from superdrugs, I would think most chemist's would stock it.

You can get tests easily and cheaply from Amazon. Seems totally logical to me for the GO to want to rule out Covid before investigating anything else.

MN is so fucking weird about Covid.