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Original poster

Can’t get a test for 6 days - how is this system practical?

121 replies

QueenofmyPrinces · 06/09/2020 07:08

Yesterday my eldest son (aged 6) went for a test, we booked it at 7.00am and whisked him straight off. Our local centre had no appointments for 5 days so instead my DH has to drive him to a centre over an hour away.

Last night my youngest son (aged 3) started showing symptoms and still has them this morning. Tried to book him a test and again, all local centres don’t have any appointments for 6 days and the next nearest available appointment is at a centre 150 miles away - and I haven’t even checked if that place has appointments available!!

I tried to order a home testing kit but was told there was none available?

So what now? My husband works and I’m at Uni so we need to know whether he has it or not, or are we just expected to stay at home for 6 days because there is no testing available?

It just seems ridiculous.

I can imagine that it is reasons like this that people won’t isolate because they will feel they can’t just put their lives on hold ‘just in case’ when it might not even be Covid but they can’t get tested.

I don’t know what the answer is but if the Government are so reliant on T&T surely this system needs to be better? Who knows how many cases may be missed because the individual can’t get a test, or his the numbers may be skewed because by the time someone actually gets a tests they’re symptoms have abated that it shows up negative.

I just saw on the Governmrnt website that tests needs to be done within 5 days of symptoms starting to get an accurate result, but how is this possible when the appointments just aren’t there.

I know we are going to have to drive really, really far to get him tested and it just seems madness.

OP posts:
Theradioison · 08/09/2020 17:14

I suggested that app to her but you need an iPhone to get it, she tried... they send me offers to take a test every time I have reported so much as a headache but I’d already recovered from it by the time I joined.

I haven't got an iphone and use the app daily

Theradioison · 08/09/2020 17:17

Discussing on R4 now

Kaktus · 08/09/2020 17:27

@Theradioison

I suggested that app to her but you need an iPhone to get it, she tried... they send me offers to take a test every time I have reported so much as a headache but I’d already recovered from it by the time I joined.

I haven't got an iphone and use the app daily

They invite you to take a test, but the booking system is the same as the booking system for everyone else. I.e shit.
EDSGFC · 08/09/2020 18:01

Does anyone know what we are entitled to by way of wages if we have to isolate, either awaiting our own test or if a member of our household has symptoms?

Eg say my adult child develops a cough but refuses to get tested myself and my dh would have to isolate for 14 days but how do I prove this to my employer? Wed not have a sick note and no test results. What's the process?

EvilPea · 09/09/2020 06:54

As far as I understood it there was no financial help just Statutory sick pay. But I’m hoping someone corrects me with better news.

Parker231 · 09/09/2020 07:26

It’s my understanding that’s it’s SSP unless you’re employer decides to pay you as normal- this is why many people won’t isolate as they can’t afford to not get paid.

Kaktus · 09/09/2020 07:29

@EvilPea

As far as I understood it there was no financial help just Statutory sick pay. But I’m hoping someone corrects me with better news.
Yes, my two self employed friends who are both (a couple) in an industry that has only just been allowed to reopen and now they’re isolating as their child has a temp and they can’t get a test in our area for 7 days. Had my friend on the phone in tears last night as she can’t afford to pay her rent as a result. She is in the depths of despair to be honest, I’m really worried about her.
WingingWonder · 09/09/2020 07:35

@QueenofmyPrinces drive thru at Wigston & Birstall both quiet when friends have been without appointments on chance...

EDSGFC · 09/09/2020 08:06

@Parker231

It’s my understanding that’s it’s SSP unless you’re employer decides to pay you as normal- this is why many people won’t isolate as they can’t afford to not get paid.
But if you are having to isolate because another household member has symptoms how do you claim the SSP? You won't be able to get a certificate from your Dr because you aren't the patient. Does your employer just have to take your word for it?
ivfbeenbusy · 09/09/2020 08:15

Wasn't the advice that if one person in your household develops symptoms then the who household could get tested? Why didn't the OP book for younger child her and husband to be tested at the same time and avoid the faff???

ButterflyBitch · 09/09/2020 08:41

It’s only if you have symptoms that you get tested so no you wouldn’t book for the whole family if they didn’t have symptoms.

I tried to book a test on Monday and nothing was available. Kept trying throughout the day and in the evening I managed to get one for tues.
when I got there it was empty. It’s a problem
With the labs apparently. They’re backlogged but I don’t know why and I don’t know why that messes with the booking a test system.

MRex · 09/09/2020 09:15

@Kaktus - they have other entitlements if they're self-employed; ESA / Universal Credit at least. There is useful advice here: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/self-employed-financial-help-if-youre-sick-or-self-isolating.

Kaktus · 09/09/2020 09:18

[quote MRex]@Kaktus - they have other entitlements if they're self-employed; ESA / Universal Credit at least. There is useful advice here: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/self-employed-financial-help-if-youre-sick-or-self-isolating.[/quote]
Yes of course they’re fully up to speed on what they can and can’t claim. Sadly after 6 months of being unable to work already, this has tipped them into no longer being able to play their rent and bills.
Spoke to her this morning and results still aren’t back (it’s been a week now) so still at home. Not only that but if the test is positive then track and trace is effectively useless as the people she was in contact with have been out and about interacting with people for the past 7 days anyway.

MRex · 09/09/2020 09:19

@EDSGFC - it comes under SSP: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/employed-off-sick-or-self-isolating.

@Kaktus - just a thought, it's worth checking if they have their own limited company. People who have their own company sometimes forget that the limited company itself can claim back for SSP / maternity etc, just ask your accountants how to process it. The company itself may also be eligible for grants or loans.

MRex · 09/09/2020 09:20

Yes of course they’re fully up to speed
Actually that's pretty rude, I was trying to be helpful. How on earth would I have known "of course"?

Kaktus · 09/09/2020 09:23

@MRex

Yes of course they’re fully up to speed Actually that's pretty rude, I was trying to be helpful. How on earth would I have known "of course"?
It wasn’t meant to be rude, apologies if it came across that way. I am just very upset and stressed this morning as she is suicidal.
EDSGFC · 09/09/2020 09:25

[quote MRex]@EDSGFC - it comes under SSP: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/employed-off-sick-or-self-isolating.

@Kaktus - just a thought, it's worth checking if they have their own limited company. People who have their own company sometimes forget that the limited company itself can claim back for SSP / maternity etc, just ask your accountants how to process it. The company itself may also be eligible for grants or loans.[/quote]
So, if you are isolating because another person in the house has symptoms do you not need any proof for your employer? Does the employer just take your word for it that someone living in your house has a cough and so you need two weeks off work?

flatwhite99 · 09/09/2020 09:35

It's because people who don't need one are getting tests!!!

Original poster
QueenofmyPrinces · 09/09/2020 11:01

When me and my husband has to isolate because our son had symptoms he emailed his boss a copy of the request details and appointment details to prove that we were indeed having to test our child and weren’t just using it as an excuse to not go to work.

If it had come back positive then we would have sent proof of that to our employers so they would have known that us being away from work for 14 days was legitimate.

OP posts:
EDSGFC · 09/09/2020 11:05

@QueenofmyPrinces

When me and my husband has to isolate because our son had symptoms he emailed his boss a copy of the request details and appointment details to prove that we were indeed having to test our child and weren’t just using it as an excuse to not go to work.

If it had come back positive then we would have sent proof of that to our employers so they would have known that us being away from work for 14 days was legitimate.

But that's in your case as a parent. I can't force my adult child or husband to get a test or consult a Dr, for example, were they to develop a cough or fever so I would have no proof to give to my employer.

I'm awaiting a test result now, am outside of the ten day government isolation period but my employer says I can't return without a negative test. It's making me think about how I'll be paid and how I prove why I've been off.

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