How quickly did you get an NHS test appointment

[Extracurricularfatigue]

Just that really. How quickly did you get a drive in test if reporting symptoms? Particularly interested if anyone has used Gateshead.

An hour later, but I didn't have to report symptoms, I just signed myself up. (Didn't use Gateshead)

Nowhere near Gateshead I'm afraid but I refer people via our employer's portal. Last one I did was reported about 2pm, employee had their test at 6pm the same night. Results by the following morning.

I ordered one by post, it arrived first thing the next day, and i got the results at 10pm the day I posted it.

Guildford. Same day for the test if I’d wanted to, results in 48 hours

1 hour, drive through testing completely empty, in and out within 15 mins. South East London suburbs, none of the main symptoms but signed myself up via website as pregnant and want to rule it out.

Wow, that’s amazing. Would it be easier to do children at home or at the drive in do you think? You do it yourself wherever, right?

Test for DD booked 7.30 pm got one immediately - test result back 24 hours later

I found drive in quicker - where I am they were posting out tests up to 48 hours.

For children I’d do it at home. You can’t get out of your car at all at the test site and it’s hard to do it on little ones anyway,

I've heard different times from people I know in different parts of the country so I don't think knowing that my friend in Norfolk got one the following day is any use to you. I assume it's area specific, does it not tell you when you go onto the website to book?

Thanks. We’re visiting family near there soon via public transport and I was wondering how easy it might be to get tested before we had to go back again on the train if anyone showed symptoms!

Postage sounds a bit variable but I can imagine that home is easier for testing kids. I guess it would partly depend on exactly when in the stay anything happened.

Reported symptoms and could go within the hour. Results came back less than20 hours later.

There was no one there, just me and another car. Staff just stood around talking.

Sounds relaxed! How does the postal test work over the weekend? Presumably you can’t get it delivered or send it off on a Monday? I assume the test centres are open every day.

That should say a Sunday of course.

And one final one. If it comes back inconclusive because of a bad sample can you immediately book another test?

@Extracurricularfatigue I believe there is a cut off time, but if you order it before a certain time it's guaranteed to arrive the next day. Mine arrived early (it doesn't come via royal mail I don't believe so weekends shouldn't make a difference? It is also inconspicuously packaged), i did it and sent it before the post at midday, and had the results that evening. So just over 24 hours from requesting (although postboxes have different pick up times of course).

Oh great. Although if it goes in the post box, it wouldn’t go back till Monday presumably? I am probably overthinking this. Slightly worried at the prospect of self-isolating at the in-laws for a fortnight but wouldn’t be able to get on the train if I had any concerns, so I’m preparing my battle plan just in case.

I’ve googled and discovered the existence of priority postboxes, so that mystery is solved.