Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Walk in centre

11 replies

Spotsandbows · 07/12/2020 19:38

My friend told me when she went to a walk in centre she was given swabs and a mirror and told to get on with it. I have to go for a test tomorrow but there is no way I could do it myself. Is this the norm for walk in centre?

OP posts:
Bringbackthestrips · 07/12/2020 19:39

It’s the norm for drive through too.

LIZS · 07/12/2020 19:42

Standard practice. If you think it might be tricky can you ring the nhs number?

Rainallnight · 07/12/2020 19:43

Yep it’s the norm. I had to do my DC a few weeks ago, which was no fun.

Why do you think it will be tricky for you?

RaininSummer · 07/12/2020 19:45

If you go to drive through you can ask for an assisted swab. I can't do it either. Had a wasted appointment at a walk in as didn't know there would be no help. I did try but couldn't stop gagging and no hope if seeing where my tonsils were to guide myself as instructed.

olderthanyouthink · 07/12/2020 19:46

Yeah we've done home tests on ourselves (DP &I) and walk though tests on DD where I held her and DP swabbed.

Everyone else stays 1-2 meters away because who's going to go near a bunch of people with covid symptoms without full PPE (the staff have masks like anyone going in a shop and a couple are behind a screen)

Whatamess666 · 07/12/2020 19:55

I had to and I'm not certain I did it efficiently enough. I've had a drive through where a staff member did it and it went far more smoothly. Came back negative, despite being a very close contact of three positives at the same time and i had the same symptoms. I've just done the antibody test so we'll see! Maybe i just had sympathy covid! 😂

whynotwhen · 07/12/2020 19:58

If it's the gagging try squeezing your thumb inside your fist on the side which you are swabbing if that makes sense. If someone else is doing it for you even better is to squeeze both thumbs in your closed fists.
Alternatively, pull your ears straight out from your head. Yes it looks mad but it stops the gag reflex Grin
(This has other uses too cough cough>

Augustbreeze · 07/12/2020 20:02

You can ask for someone to guide you through it all, which I found really helpful.

AlwaysBehindTheCurve · 07/12/2020 20:04

I’ve had one test, DH and the three DC (aged 7, 5 and 1) have had two each. All done ourselves. It’s not the easiest or most fun but it’s fine.

BeHereNowx32 · 07/12/2020 20:05

@Spotsandbows I was at a walk in centre today. I had to do the test myself, but a staff member talked me through what to do (from a distance). There was also an information leaflet and info on the wall, but it was good to have someone help.
Good luck

Original poster
Spotsandbows · 08/12/2020 06:44

Thanks everyone yes it the gagging I'm worried about and not touching the rest of my mouth. @58whynotwhen will try the first thing hopefully will give a correct verdict

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread