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Original poster

Do I really have to keep logging my lateral flow tests?

64 replies

Ladderclimber · 24/03/2021 00:52

In my house, 4 of us need to do twice weekly lateral flow tests. Then we report them on the government website by filling in a load of details about where we live and our ethnicity and dates of birth and blah de blah, and then email addresses and phone numbers so that they can instantly email and text us with the results we just gave them. I can't be bothered with it. Can I stop reporting in negative results? Will anyone know? I don't think they go to our employers or schools or anything. I'd obviously report a positive.

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 24/03/2021 00:56

I know what you mean! It's so funny the way they text you and email you to tell you what you have just told them!

I will probably keep logging mine regardless, but I certainly understand the temptation to just ignore the negative tests and only do anything with any positive ones.

SavingsQuestions · 24/03/2021 01:00

We have to record them for school too. Do you not have to? (For the school child we have a link to click and report each time, that then leads to the gov link.)

I think its legal duty to report isnt it? But Ive had a similar thought in the kits were just given to us and not tracked. We have though!

AlexaShutUp · 24/03/2021 01:08

Our kits are named so I guess they may be tracked. The school has told us not to bother reporting negative results, only positive ones.

Is it actually a legal duty to report? As I've said, I will continue to report anyway, but as the tests themselves are optional, I don't see how they could insist on the reporting?

Original poster
Ladderclimber · 24/03/2021 01:15

I've not been told it's a legal duty. It does say on the instructions that all results must be logged. But as you say, the test kits are not registered to us. We've actually got a combination of some from husband's employer, some that one DC brought home from school and some that I picked up from a test centre (no ID/didn't give my name).

OP posts:
SavingsQuestions · 24/03/2021 01:27

I'm wondering now if that's something thats been said on a local group and taken as gospel and isn't in fact a legal duty (other than for a positive!) Other than the info says they must. (Cetainly noone would know) maybe they're hoping people will assume this.

Our school has definitely said it will follow up re secondary tests though - we have to report those regulalry. From an email -

"The school has an obligation to follow up on any test results not received. If test results are not regularly reported, we will be unable to issue any further testing packs."

SavingsQuestions · 24/03/2021 01:28

We get a reminder email from the reporting app they're using too.

Ironmanrocks · 24/03/2021 01:31

Set up a account. You do all that boring stuff once. Then each time you log in it's there and you only have to scan the qr code and log it. It's much quicker.

BoxitUp · 24/03/2021 01:33

The fact that we have to complete all the details again on the form every time is a pain. It doesn't appear to prepopulate answers no matter how many times you've filled it in before. I'm not sure if it's my settings on my phone/laptop or if everyone has to do this

Oblomov21 · 24/03/2021 04:31

I didn't even know I was supposed to be doing ds's.
I've just done it online. How embarrassing! Blush

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 24/03/2021 04:36

I will continue to because I want them to see the millions of tests increasing but the positive cases falling still.

QuidditchQueen · 24/03/2021 04:41

I report to the school (teacher) and try yo report on the NHS website but it is f so o rubbish that often I ho through the rigmarole and at the very end it gives a ‘system error’ Tried three tines yesterday to report the negative and just them gave up.

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 24/03/2021 05:00

no, you have to keep reporting.
there is an app my colleagues use.

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 24/03/2021 05:00

my laptop repopulates, luckily for me

ImTheWolfToday · 24/03/2021 05:36

It’s a condition of signing up for / accepting the tests to report the results so although there’d be no follow up if you didn’t I think it’s a bit off. The data is used and if things start to go in the wrong direction again will be useful.
I’ve registered and all I have to do is sign in, click through a couple of screens and I’m done, all my answers are saved and it take 90seconda tops.

Londonnight · 24/03/2021 05:55

I do mine twice a week too. I have an account so only have to input my details once. After that when I log on it just asks when the test was taken and whether positive or negative.
I have to report mine to my school too each time.
You do need to keep reporting.

fireplaceburning · 24/03/2021 05:57

I've an account for mine but have to fill in all the children's details every time. Really annoying

WaitingForNormality · 24/03/2021 06:01

As Pp say, when I log mine I just filled in all the many details once. Then created an account and so now I just pop email and password in and it remembers all the info from the first time and all I have to do is log the result. Much quicker.

Buffy81 · 24/03/2021 06:07

I work in a hospital and we have to record every result on the website that we have.

I have just done mine as they suggested to do it in the morning as that way we can call in if its positive an arrange for a proper test to be done and don't spread it. It also helps them to work out what percentage of staff have a negative or positive test and how many of those that come back as positive or negative once a proper test has been done

QuidditchQueen · 24/03/2021 06:14

For all those who airily say make an account - I HAVE an account - just keep getting error messages so have given up.
The site actually says it is ‘alpha’ presumably to explain why it is rubbish.
Why not get a commercial company to create the site? Amazon eg software designers could knock up something that was actually fit for purpose because if they don’t, they go out of business. Meanwhile public sector software is shoddy and no comeback.

Punxsutawney · 24/03/2021 06:32

I have an account for my own results but you can't have one if you are reporting for your child. You have to go through the same questions every time and then it often says system error.

beela · 24/03/2021 06:38

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

I will continue to because I want them to see the millions of tests increasing but the positive cases falling still.
This!!
Tobebythesea · 24/03/2021 07:13

I do them twice a week and it’s a condition to receive the tests to report every outcome - negative, positive or invalid. It’s a pain but needs to be done. I skip the email now and just put in my mobile.

Dauphinois · 24/03/2021 07:17

Create an account on the Govs website and make use of the auto fill function on your phone - it makes the whole process much quicker!

Tobebythesea · 24/03/2021 07:18

From the Gov.uk website

Report the result:

-every time you use a rapid lateral flow test kit
-as soon as possible after you get the result

cryh · 24/03/2021 07:21

We went back to using test centres because the walk to and fro is nice and it is easier than running a micro test centre at home! Worried they'll shut soon.

The testing is a drain, we are doing it because I'm a rule-follower but I bet many people are dropping off now.