Impossible to get a test

[mumum1]

Can't believe how difficult it is to get a test.

DD6 ended up with a bit of a cold over the weekend and a fever yesterday morning. I got a fever too and just a general feeling of being tired.

Have been trying since yesterday morning to get a test but no test sites available.

We're all self isolating now which means I'm off work, DD9 is off school too (she's gutted) as well as DD6

I'm pretty sure we've just got colds but DDs school and my work won't let me back until I have a negative test although we both feel ok now.

I would have thought that the powers that be would have thought that maybe with the return to school to make sure we had enough testing capacity!

Has anyone managed to book a test today? How have you managed it? Any times of day I should be trying?

[Decisivelyindecisive]

Endlessly hitting refresh here 2 poorly kids, 2 just off isolating. One with a horrendous cold that is now including a persistent cough and one with mild temp, sore throat and a rash. Need a test before the others can return to school

[ShivD]

Someone local was told to get a QR code for a tests ANYWHERE and then bring that to your local centre and they will test you. Worked for them on Friday

[Batchcooking]

In case it helps anyone else, I spoke to 119. They said the QR code takes up to 4 hours to come through...by which time you could have missed your appointment.

How insane is that?!

[Flube]

@ShivD

Someone local was told to get a QR code for a tests ANYWHERE and then bring that to your local centre and they will test you. Worked for them on Friday

But then does that not just fuck things up further?

I mean you are told to book a time slot and arrive bang on time, in order to prevent massive queues at the site. Also if they only have 50 tests available and people book them, then someone turns up who has booked at another site, will they're still be enough tests left at the site for everyone that have actually booked that day?

[Flube]

😱 wtf?! Shambles!

Fortunately, I received my QR codes within a couple of minutes. So hopefully the 4 hours is rare.

[Hmmph]

Total shambles.

Next time one of us gets a cold, I don’t think I will check their temperature as I can’t go through this again!

[Batchcooking]

It is utterly ridiculous. My employer is being fine but I feel desperately sad for people whose employers are being arseholes about it!

[Forkrightorf]

What an absolute shit show. I managed to get a test for DD on Sunday afternoon. It's been 49 hours now and no results, has anyone tested recently and waited this long for results? It was Bristol Airport if that makes a difference. 4 kids off school, including a new Reception starter. I am gutted for them

[Cookerhood]

Yes I heard of someone getting a QR code for Glasgow & turning up with it 500 miles away & being tested. Madness.

[bellinisurge]

At this point, I'd welcome a fucking offer of a test in Glasgow. In Greater Manchester. This is what I've been getting all day.

[Flube]

@bellinisurge I had the same all day yesterday. But at 8.15pm (ish) I had 4 different sites pop up. It was a struggle to book, and I had to repeatedly hit the 'find a site' button after putting in all the details. But it eventually let me in.

So it may be worth checking in the evening. I don't know if that's when new slots are released or if it was pure coincidence that several sites popped up at once for me, after nothing all day. But I suppose it's worth a shot.

[HipHopBanzai]

@Forkrightorf Yes we've been waiting for results since early Sunday morning. Nothing yet. Northwest in an area with very high rate. Feels like everybody is getting results other than us.

[Torres10]

I have literally just had 3 test site options come up after zilch all day!? In the south though..

[perfectpanda]

I was reading this thread and someone suggested 6 30pm . Anyway that worked for me and about 4 sites came up, having been trying non stop foe 4 hours. So good luck, def worth refreshing over and over.

[NoSquirrels]

Us too - nothing all day then a few at about 18.30.

Frustratingly, our local drive-through centre (5 mins away) was listed, I clicked, got an appt time, put in car reg and then it chucked me right back out to the beginning again. When I got back through it repeatedly refused to recognise my postcode, so I had to use my MIL’s - and then all the local places had gone & now I’m driving an hour away tomorrow. Time I can’t really spare, frankly. But then I can’t have everyone off for weeks on end either.

[bellinisurge]

Well, it went further all and gave me this about 20 mins ago

[Normandy144]

Hello I have tried I think successfully to book a test this evening for tomorrow morning. However I am now worried that I didn't actually book it as I have nothing in the way of confirmation email and then final screen I think just said to click confirm which I duly did. It then took me back to the beginning screen again, with no message to say it was confirmed etc. Is this normal do you know? Many thanks.

[bellinisurge]

And just tried again.

[LemonTT]

@Normandy144

Hello I have tried I think successfully to book a test this evening for tomorrow morning. However I am now worried that I didn't actually book it as I have nothing in the way of confirmation email and then final screen I think just said to click confirm which I duly did. It then took me back to the beginning screen again, with no message to say it was confirmed etc. Is this normal do you know? Many thanks.

That happened to me last night. Lost it.

I did read some people reentered details and still had the slot. But I lost mine.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I have been advised (by someone who was advised this by 119) that as long as you have a QR code it doesn't matter where you are tested

[mumum1]

@Normandy144

Hello I have tried I think successfully to book a test this evening for tomorrow morning. However I am now worried that I didn't actually book it as I have nothing in the way of confirmation email and then final screen I think just said to click confirm which I duly did. It then took me back to the beginning screen again, with no message to say it was confirmed etc. Is this normal do you know? Many thanks.

Happened to me and a few people I know. It's not booked unfortunately. After a successful booking you go onto a confirmation page x

[Keeping2ChevronsApart]

My daughter works on the test booking hotline and says so many don't have the right symptoms. When she points this out they start coughing!!

[Keeping2ChevronsApart]

Also a lot of people are calling to ask for advice with no symptoms at all so clogging up the lines

[Lemons1571]

@Keeping2ChevronsApart do you know out of interest what would your daughters advice be for a family with colds - snotty, sneezing, sore throat, sinusy, but also a brief temperature for a couple of hours and a chesty cough?

[Keeping2ChevronsApart]

[quote Lemons1571]@Keeping2ChevronsApart do you know out of interest what would your daughters advice be for a family with colds - snotty, sneezing, sore throat, sinusy, but also a brief temperature for a couple of hours and a chesty cough?[/quote]
I just asked her

'if they have symptoms however brief, government guidelines are that they should isolate and try and get a test, but obviously none available at present'