How to get a test in london

[shmivorytower]

So it begins!

2yo had a fever of 38.3 last night. Looks very snotty. No fever anymore and happy in himself. But we are following guidelines and entire family is self isolating until we get a negative test.

Problem is we just can’t seem to get a test. Home tests have all been allocated at this time. The gov.uk homepage has been saying: too busy come back again later since 2am. After trying all morning we are now in a phone cue with 119 to find a mobile walk in testing site. We have been waiting for 30 mins but hopefully it will work.

In case it doesn’t can any of you wise mumsnet share some advice on how to get him tested? Are there certain times when slots are released? We are in north london.

When I was looking the other day there was a walk in centre at Harlesden and the drive through was at Heathrow

@woodhill thanks so much for your response. I assume we can’t just rock up but need an appointment that we get by calling 119? Or am I mistaken?

I’m in north Devon, and when I tried yesterday my nearest options were London (Lee Valley Athletics?) or Telford...

I’ve heard slots are released at 8am and 8pm, not sure if that’s true.

I logged on and did it

Hope you get it sorted OP

They will say you need an appointment (and there aren’t any)

In reality if you rock up you’ll get tested.

Got it sorted. As @AppleKatie suggested I did some sleuthing and found out where the closet walk in was and just rocked up. They did it there and then.

If this does not encapsulate what’s wrong with this government I don’t know what does. The pushy/ more resourceful get first dips for a service that should be equally accessible to all, or even prioritised for the less resourceful.

I know it’s shocking. I couldn’t believe it when a friend told me that’s the way to do it. It felt wrong. But it worked and results back in 30hours (so obviously our test didn’t send the lab over the edge..)

Yes - I have a friend who works in public health who suggested this method. I could not believe my ears.

It turns out there was a perfectly non busy test centre really close to me and I am sure that there are lots of people living really close to it not knowing that it was even there and Being told by the centralised system that nothing is available and that the system is overwhelmed.

There is a walk in test centre in Dalston that is open 7 days a week, no need to book

Thanks @vonny63 that’s the one we went to.

Though having said that I am not sure it was that one actually!

On PMQs today, it was reported there was a ridiculous number of unused slots for testing yesterday....and yet so many people were reporting they couldnt get a test or the nearest ones were hours away!

Shit show

Bloody hell! Will write to my MP

#worldbeating

Test negative.