Anyone managed to book a test today? Or tips for when to try?

[BighouseLittlemouse]

My eldest has a temperature and cold symptoms. Because of the temperature been trying to book a test all day with no success. Does anyone have any tips for best time to try?

I am a single parent and have another child who is obviously having to stay off school. Really need to get access to a test.

I tried Friday evening / Saturday morning and was only getting Isle of Wight (live in London). More came up about 9-10am on Saturday as a mobile testing site was added. When I clicked through to book it it gave me a choice of 3 different sites that weren’t there before so if you’re just getting the one option click on it and put further details in (they start asking for date of birth etc.) and then you get a choice of three sites rather than one miles away.

I now don’t even get through to the message!

I had to book today for my son who has cold symptoms. It said drive thru sites -closest was Manchester airport. Well I'm in west mids so too far but then a walk in site in my town were available so he had one today.

I wouldn't advise to just walk in without an app like PP said. We had to show our QR code on arrival to check him in.

@JellyTots2009
Was one of those cold symptoms a cough, temperature or a loss in sense of taste or smell?
People with cold like symptoms that don't fall into the above categories shouldn't be going for tests.

Stupid question - is everyone filling in the form anew each time or can you hover at the test site page and refresh from there? I'm looking for my coldy DS who has sniffles and a sore throat.

*should have said a temperature too!

He had a cough that developed yesterday (was coughing all throughout the day) a sore throat and a blocked nose.
I rang 111 who then told me to ring 119 but the lines were shut, so I filled in a form online and when a doctor spoke to me this morning, she said it sounds like the common cold but government guidelines advise testing for a new cough.
I booked after the call.

I've accidentally booked the test under my name instead of my child's, but with my child's DOB. Argh!!!

Does anyone know if I can still turn up and do the test on my child?

@JellyTots2009

I had to book today for my son who has cold symptoms. It said drive thru sites -closest was Manchester airport. Well I'm in west mids so too far but then a walk in site in my town were available so he had one today.

I wouldn't advise to just walk in without an app like PP said. We had to show our QR code on arrival to check him in.

You can register after the test is completed. That’s what I did. They were very accommodating.

So quick update. Was offered a slot somewhere an hour and a half drive away which wasn’t feasible.

Went to a drive through advertised as not needing appointments ( an hours drive). They haven’t been allocated any tests so can’t operate the drop in. The walk in next door has some so now there.

Unbelievable

I think what’s annoying me most is I have to fill in all his details every time I try to get a test!.. why don’t they have the bloody postcode thing first so at least you can see if there’s any available before entering everything

Yes this was driving me mad when I was trying to book for DS on Sunday! Also it asks for ‘your name’ you later click on an option to say ‘I’m booking on behalf of someone else’ (leading you to think putting your own name initially was right) but then actually you’re meant to put your child’s name/whoever you’re booking for in there- it isn’t the clearest! Could easily say after ‘your name’ - this is the person who the test is for!