Will I be allowed the covid jab if waiting for a test?

[fastwigglylines]

I had a phone consultation with my doctor yesterday over a long term cough I've had. I made it clear it's not a new cough and the Dr wants to do a blood test.

However she said I need to have a covid test before I come to get the blood test and I should book online. I explored all the options on the NHS website and there wasn't one for "the GP told me to get a test" so I lied and said my cough started 2 days ago, not a year ago, which is the actual date.

I know people will probably tell me off for lying but I didn't know what to do. It's taken me a while to get the Drs appointment.

But then, later that same day I got invited by text to have my Covid jab and the only dates available were Weds or Thurs so I booked Thurs.

Are they going to ask me if I've recently done a test? Will I not be able to get the jab?

I really want the jab before the DC go back as I'm in a high risk group.

WWYD?

@YardleyX

Absolutely, yes it is the doctor’s error.

There is no system to have tests done as a precaution.

Unfortunately, by listening to this erroneous advice, you have now declared yourself to have Covid symptoms on an official government document.

I can assure there is a list kept of all those currently in isolation, and large fines have been implemented for some who have been caught outside whilst on this list.

Now, the chances of being caught may be slim, but the penalties are high.

I guess what I’d say is that most of the people who have been caught have done so because they have attended an event; gone to work; attended a medical venue...etc etc...

These are the places where people are getting caught out. In all honesty, very few people have been caught whilst just out for a walk or going to Tesco.

We do get reports all the time though from friends and neighbours if they think they know people doing this sort of thing whilst isolating.

Given that the OP currently has an undiagnosed cough, I think it is entirely reasonable to take this precaution and not an error.

You may think it’s reasonable, and I may agree.

However, us thinking that it’s reasonable is not the criteria required to be met before booking a test via the online NHS Test & Trace service.

The criteria states “a new, continuous cough”.

@YardleyX

You may think it’s reasonable, and I may agree.

However, us thinking that it’s reasonable is not the criteria required to be met before booking a test via the online NHS Test & Trace service.

The criteria states “a new, continuous cough”.

And the GP may have advised something different based on their years of clinical acumen, and desire to protect staff. I would agree there should be an appropriate option when booking a test in this circumstance.

Nevertheless, by going through this route, the op has now put herself on the isolation list for 10 days, and will miss her first available vaccination appointment.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the test results back from the postal test?

There’s so much misinformation on this thread it’s ridiculous! There is no legal obligation to isolate for ‘requesting a test.’ You are only legally (I.e. would get fined if you didn’t) obliged to isolate with a positive test result or being asked to isolate as a contact via Test and Trace.
PP are also wrong about precautionary tests! It does vary from area to area but where I am I can have a PCR test (with no obligation to isolate) if I have symptoms like a runny nose.
I can also get lateral flow tests at my local pharmacies if I am well but want to check.
Why don’t you call the GP back and explain the situation? A PCR test also seems unnecessary to access blood services, I’ve had several outpatients appointments and not been asked for this. I can see why inpatients would be asked though,

@YardleyX where is the isolation list held? Ordering a test doesn’t trigger this? It’s the results that trigger action - not the test?

It can vary hugely. If you’re lucky, can be 24 hrs (after allowing postage time).
Unlucky, could be up to 5 days.

Attending a test centre is quicker because tests are couriered straight to a lab, and will be there quicker than putting it in the post.

The list is held at NHS Test & Trace.

Booking a test via the online service absolutely does put you on this list.

Minus the vaccination, I’m in the same situation with ds. He’s had ongoing tonsil problems for months, asked gp to physically check him as it seemed worse, and was told they wouldn’t see him until he had a negative covid test, despite him having no covid symptoms (apart from an occasional sore throat, which is due to his swollen tonsils, and isn’t a “recognised” symptom anyway!)

They told me to call 119 to get a test, 119 (obviously) refused to give him a test as he doesn’t have covid symptoms.

So I’ve also had to lie to get him a test, as there’s no option to say “My gp told me to despite me not having covid symptoms.” It’s a very shit oversight on the system, and I’m completely bewildered why I can’t take him into the gp with a non-covid symptom. If they’re going to refuse treatment without a negative result, they need to supply a pcr test themselves, not make parents and patients jump through ridiculous hoops like this. Sorry you’re having the same kind of problems op. I hope they can treat your cough and you can feel better soon

@YardleyX

Nevertheless, by going through this route, the op has now put herself on the isolation list for 10 days, and will miss her first available vaccination appointment.

That's unfortunate timing, but these things happen. Still doesn't class as an error by the doctor for me. Anyway, assuming she tests negative, she will not require isolation for 10 days.

@FatPatty

There’s so much misinformation on this thread it’s ridiculous! There is no legal obligation to isolate for ‘requesting a test.’ You are only legally (I.e. would get fined if you didn’t) obliged to isolate with a positive test result or being asked to isolate as a contact via Test and Trace. PP are also wrong about precautionary tests! It does vary from area to area but where I am I can have a PCR test (with no obligation to isolate) if I have symptoms like a runny nose. I can also get lateral flow tests at my local pharmacies if I am well but want to check. Why don’t you call the GP back and explain the situation? A PCR test also seems unnecessary to access blood services, I’ve had several outpatients appointments and not been asked for this. I can see why inpatients would be asked though,

You are wrong. Whether she has a cough or not (and actually she has), OP has informed the system she has covid symptoms. She must now isolate.

I’ll report FatPatty’s comments, as this kind of misinformation in relation to Covid testing is very damaging.

@YardleyX

It can vary hugely. If you’re lucky, can be 24 hrs (after allowing postage time). Unlucky, could be up to 5 days.

Attending a test centre is quicker because tests are couriered straight to a lab, and will be there quicker than putting it in the post.

Would I be worth seeing if I can get into a test centre today? Even though I'll have the home test in my hand this afternoon?

If I go to a test centre instead, then I should get my result today and then I could still go for my jab appointment tomorrow, is that correct?

Oh, ignore that I was reading a government page on how quicky you get your results back, and it said same day but that's for the lateral flow tests.

Technically, and according to the software, she should isolate. In the real world, she doesn’t have new covid symptoms, can’t pass covid on if she doesn’t have it or any indication of it, and therefore does not need to isolate.

I’ve had a residual cough since a nasty bug in January 2020. Before covid existed here. I’ve never had a covid test for it. If I ordered and did a test right now, 14 months later, should I immediately isolate?

This is nuts.

The only way you can request a test yourself online in these circumstances, is by declaring that you have a new, continuous cough.

Absolutely, if you don’t have that symptom you don’t need to isolate OR order a test.

However, if you go ahead and declare on a formal government document that you do have a new, continuous cough, then you’ll need to isolate in accordance with the facts you have just stated.

How are the authorities supposed to know who’s lying on the form?!

Fasteigglylines - there’s no easy option in the online system to cancel a home test and request a test centre slot.

You may be able to do it over the phone if your local test centre has slots today.

Either way, you’re right. You won’t get a result today. Possibly tomorrow if you go to a test centre. Earliest is probably Friday if you return the home kit in the post.

@mxrex

It isn’t misinformation of course you ‘should’ isolate if you have symptoms but legally you can only be fined if you test positive or are asked to isolate by NHS Track and Trace. Someone above said she could be fined for not isolating if she has registered for a test. This is not the case.
Also she doesn’t have Covid symptoms...she has a year old cough not a new continuous cough.

@YardleyX if this is the case why aren’t they chasing no shows for tests?

OP do you have rapid testing in your area?

Sorry my first comment should have been for @YardleyX

I still think OP should contact the GP. Too much ‘computer says no’ on this thread and no real thought about OP’s actual situation

Just delay your jab. Some areas only wire a day or two ahead fir appointments but you should be able to rearrange it now to allow for your result.