Can I demand a test ? Please advise

[onestepat]

My gran is nearly 99.
She is currently in rehabilitation unit for a broken hip.
When she was in hospital she got a covid test (3 weeks ago ) it was negative.
I've been told she needs to go into a care home.
I've found a lovely care home but they've said they need another covid test (totally understand ) as in those 3 weeks she's came into contact with many different care workers in rehab.
Social services have refused her another test.
They have said the rehab unit doesn't have any and it's not necessary.
The care home have zero cases and won't take gran without one.
Social services have told me to pick another care home that won't need my gran to have another test.
I don't want to send my gran to a home that is letting anyone in without testing.
What can I do here ?
Can social services put her anywhere ?
It's one thing after the other
I'm fed up

@onestepat

I thought anyone over the age of 5 could now book a test?

@onestepat

Is under a specialist hospital? For example some children like my DD may be under Alder Hey, if so the specialist hospital should be able to provide your gran a test.

The social worker said as my gran has no symptoms she doesn't need one.
I don't know if they are trying to fob me off here.
The rehabilitation unit is part of local hospital but because she had a covid test 25 days ago they won't do another.

You can now get a test for anyone-google something like ‘how to get verification code for covid test’. You should get a code and a test sent to your home or an appointment at a drive-in- whatever your grandmas up to.

Register her for the tracking app. If you put in any of the symptoms she’ll be referred for a test.

I'd put in a couple of symptoms to register her for the test. I am astounded after everything that has happened any care home would take someone without one and I wouldn't want me relative going there either.

Locally no care homes are taking people without a negative test. Contact your public health dept. or your mp

I’m confused. This isn’t a social worker decision. They can not arrange this. It’s a medical decision. The care home manager can speak to rehab unit and explain. They’ll be keen to discharge her so if the care home insists, they’ll have no choice.

The rehab unit have told me that she could only get a test is social worker authorised it yet the social worker said the rehab unit have no tests.
I don't understand it at all.

@MrsWooster

You can’t get a test for anyone. You can only get a test for people who have symptoms and the OP has confirmed that her gran has no symptoms

I thought it was now compulsory to test at least twice before someone is discharged from hospital to a nursing home? I'm pretty sure that's correct.

Found this which might be useful - apparently they should be tested 48 prior to discharge:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-stepdown-of-infection-control-precautions-within-hospitals-and-discharging-covid-19-patients-from-hospital-to-home-settings/guidance-for-stepdown-of-infection-control-precautions-and-discharging-covid-19-patients

1. Discharge to a single occupancy room in care facility, including nursing homes and residential homes

This can be done when the patient’s clinical status is appropriate for discharge, for example, once assessed to have stable or recovering respiratory function, and any ongoing care needs can be met at the residential care facility. All patients discharged to a care facility should be tested for COVID-19 48 hours prior to discharge and that result relayed to the receiving organisation.

I would email your MP directly. I would also find out who the social worker reports to and go above them. Good luck.

It's a bit vague...says testing to be done prior to admission but doesn't give a timeframe (1.33)

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-adult-social-care-action-plan/covid-19-our-action-plan-for-adult-social-care#controlling-the-spread-of-infection-in-care-settings

Good practice would be to test 1-2 days before discharge.

I am not impressed by that social worker and suggest you speak to the nurse in charge/unit manager directly.

BBCONEs link is more recent. Go by that!

Speak to her doctor or the site manager. Dont get fobbed off and dont look at another home. Is nana paying for her carehome or is it social funded. Surely its up to the carehome to discuss direct with the unit. Do you have power of attorney.

Actually in Scotland the patient should have 2 separate tests.

hpspubsrepo.blob.core.windows.net/hps-website/nss/3012/documents/1_covid-19-step-down-guidance.pdf

I would speak to the medical team at the hospital rather than the social workers. Good luck.

Which part of the U.K. are you from? Very roughly, not exact location.

@BBCONEANDTWO thankyou so much for that link it's very helpful.
I hope that will help us getting her a test

@Haenow I'm from the north east of England.
Newcastle area

@HappyHammy it will be social funded.
The social worker rang the care home manager and explained no tests available.
The care home manager said without a test no admission.
The social worker rang me and was mocking the care home manager saying she was being OTT as my gran had no symptoms.
Clearly nothing has been learnt from the 11,000 deaths in care homes

Onestepat, now we can see why there's been so many deaths in care homes with social workers acting like that. Your grandmother needs a test and to go somewhere you are happy for her to go. I would contact your local MP

And I'm glad to hear this care home wants a negative test to keep it's residents and new residents safe. Lives before profits. Sounds like a good place for her to go

M.P., PALS, Unit Manager and DN's Consultant - email them all together, at the same time.

Explain that you want DN to go to this particular home, not least because they clearly are striving to keep their residents as safe as possible and surely, this is what lockdown has been all about - keeping the vulnerable safe?
Then wait.
If Soc Worker tries to pressure you again, tell her you are waiting advice from the medical professionals and your MP.

Definitely MP. This is such a political hot potato at the moment that you are very likely to get help via that route.