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Original poster

Anyone know when to check the site for test slots?

31 replies

vixb1 · 10/09/2020 20:23

Daughter has been sent home from nursery today with a temperature.

Fairly sure she doesn't have "it", but won't take her back without a test. Fine.

Except I can't get a bloody test.... no postal tests available and not testing slots available at all. Not even miles away.

I've been told "keep trying" by the helpline - erm, ok! Anyone what the deal is? Is there times when they tend to release more slots? When should I set an alarm for to remind me to check (I have other stuff to do, I keep forgetting!).

Any help welcomed! Seems a Covid test is the hottest ticket in town all of a sudden?!

OP posts:
JLbaby · 10/09/2020 20:25

Having the same problem at the moment! They told me try at 8pm, all very well but everyone and his dog is clearly trying to get a test as the website is ‘Loading’!

MrsHopity · 10/09/2020 20:27

When I have been on gov website it allowed me to book a test slot for the next day, is this an option?

I have had to book on 4 seperate occasions and have been able to book 3 of them for the same day one of them I booked at 7pm for next morning.

Hope your little one feels better soon

wendz86 · 10/09/2020 20:29

apparently 8 am or 5 pm are best times for home tests according to email i got from zoe app.

Original poster
vixb1 · 10/09/2020 20:42

@MrsHopity

When I have been on gov website it allowed me to book a test slot for the next day, is this an option?

I have had to book on 4 seperate occasions and have been able to book 3 of them for the same day one of them I booked at 7pm for next morning.

Hope your little one feels better soon

Yeah so Ive been for a test in the past, gone on the site, booked in for an hour later, job done!

It seems there is now a shortage and it's now a total shambles. It just gives me no options to book anything, either a test or an appointment. Just says there are no test centres available.

OP posts:
Original poster
vixb1 · 10/09/2020 20:42

@wendz86

apparently 8 am or 5 pm are best times for home tests according to email i got from zoe app.
Oooh, that's good info! I'll set myself a reminder for tomorrow morning but keep checking before I go to bed.
OP posts:
Stellaris22 · 10/09/2020 20:43

My daughter in primary school needs a test too, but just keep getting the 'loading' screen. Is it best to just call?

MummaPI · 10/09/2020 20:50

I was refreshing the page for hours but 10am worked for me. Went from a 2 hour drive to my home town!

Walkerbean16 · 10/09/2020 20:53

ive been on hold for over an hour @Stellaris22 and they will probably just say they cant do anything.

i just get the loading page too.

been trying to book one for four days now its a fucking joke.

newname593922 · 10/09/2020 20:56

I managed to order a home test for my DD a couple of days ago at around 8am.

Original poster
vixb1 · 10/09/2020 21:06

I've got one! 9am tomorrow. But it's for a walk through site that I need to drive to?!

I'm hoping I'll be able to park nearby and then walk when I'm close.

OP posts:
JLbaby · 10/09/2020 21:08

I finally got a test! However the appointment came through and they have my daughters date of birth down as the same as mine! Also they need some sort of ID for her, she doesn’t have any as her passport is being renewed, is that ok do you think?

ceeveebee · 10/09/2020 21:10

They never looked at any of our ID when we went so doubt it will matter

JLbaby · 10/09/2020 21:11

Great thank you!

duckme · 10/09/2020 21:15

Keep trying all day. My colleague had to get a test on Monday and at first there were none, then it was trying to send her to a centre miles and miles away, eventually after a couple of hours, she was able to secure a local one.

wizzler · 10/09/2020 21:15

10am worked for me too. I didn't need any photo I'd either... they just checked my QR code

HariboHippo · 10/09/2020 21:17

I’ve been checking all day and nothing anywhere, and then literally got one up the road on a random check about five mins ago so they must have just added some.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 10/09/2020 21:19

I was told that more slots get released at 8pm so I was on the website at 7.50 and managed to get the first slot the next morning.

I spoke to 3 call handlers on Tuesday (was on hold for nearly an hour each time). The third one said there was no point in phoning as they just use the same website as the public ! Apparently the phone line is only for those with no internet access - yet it doesn’t tell you that on the website!

Walkerbean16 · 10/09/2020 21:40

an hour and 44 mins on hold to be told nothing available 🙃

Muchtoomuchtodo · 10/09/2020 21:44

@Walkerbean16

an hour and 44 mins on hold to be told nothing available 🙃
Keep checking the website, the call handlers only use this anyhow so you can save the waiting time.
Walkerbean16 · 11/09/2020 00:12

@Muchtoomuchtodo I've been checking it for the past 4 days, nothing has come up.

Torvean32 · 11/09/2020 03:34

Does she still have a temperature? A one off done at nursery is not reliable.

notanoctopus · 11/09/2020 04:24

This bodes well...

covetingthepreciousthings · 11/09/2020 04:27

Been trying for the last hour or two and nothing is coming up. Sad doesn't bode well at all.

GetUpAgain · 11/09/2020 06:57

Tried for hours last night and again this morning and there's nothing anywhere. I've changed postcode to places all over England and it always says No test sites found Sad

Lemons1571 · 11/09/2020 07:18

@GetUpAgain damn. I was hoping we could put in a postcode 400 miles away and the system would then offer you something next door Grin

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