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Original poster

How does it work in a drive through centre

20 replies

TinyTear · 09/04/2021 21:40

Have been fortunate not to have needed anyone testing in the past year but tomorrow have to take the 6 yo as she has a snotty cold and this evening had a temperature...
So following the rules called the line and booked a test.

Now reading the instruction email it says I can't even leave the car and I should have an adult sitting on the back with the child to do the test?

So what do I do with the other child? Can't least them home. Doesn't make sense to have 4 people in a car when one could be contagious...

And if I go by myself the email said I will have to do the test on the child. She hates anything near her nose, even saline. How on earth am I going to do it?

I was hoping when I booked someone would administer the test for me...

Ahrgh

OP posts:

springhasalmostsprung · 09/04/2021 21:42

We parked up and we're allowed to get out and administer the test on our children.

They were just 3 when we took them and I'm not going to lie it was horrific. I recommend taking another adult with you because I had to hold my daughters arms out the way while my husband did the swab. They had loos there so you're definitely allowed out the car, just have to park in an allocated space away from anyone else.

Good luck.

JanFebAnyMonth · 09/04/2021 21:43

IME walk in centres offer much more support than drive in ones - although I think it’s rare to have someone who’ll swab for you. If you search there have been numerous threads about how to swab a child, although no magic answers.

Do you think her throat might be the easier target?

idontlikealdi · 09/04/2021 21:44

If you're not SD at home you may as well get in a car, open the windows.

Vickles20 · 09/04/2021 21:44

They are very clear with their instructions when you arrive. They’ll have seen it all before and will advise you. Hope it goes ok.

Elizabeth110100 · 09/04/2021 21:46

I advise some sort of bribery too. I described it to my 6 year old as me having to tickle inside her nose and she could count up to 10 to make sure I do it right (!) Giving her some kind of responsibility and control over it seemed to help. Good luck.

KatherineOfGaunt · 09/04/2021 21:46

Someone can do it for you. Someone in my immediate family had it done for them at a drive in test centre.

AnnaSW1 · 09/04/2021 21:46

You have to test you own child. They don't do children

MyCatHatesOtherCats · 09/04/2021 21:47

At ours, you definitely aren’t allowed to get out. So your options are to climb into the back seat (a dignified look, from one who has been there ) or to get another adult to sit in the back.

I managed to do the nasal swab on our baby and hold his arms out of the way (which was upsetting enough for him) but I wouldn’t fancy the odds with our 5 year old. Good luck!

Parker231 · 09/04/2021 21:47

Might be worth looking at some of the YouTube videos of how to do the test. I’m rubbish at doing the tests but our six year old next door neighbour seems to take it in his stride.

Hellocatshome · 09/04/2021 21:47

I would have the 6 year old in the front seat next to you, any other children you dont have childcare for sit in the back. They pass everything through your slightly open window then you park up and do the test. Then post it back into a box through your slightly open window. At 6 she should be OK to sit still enough for you to do it. I find if you let them take a soft toy or something to cuddle their arms are too busy doing that to get in the way.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 09/04/2021 21:47

I have never experienced people at the test centre take the swab and I have been a few times. They will read your qr code from your phone through the window when you arrive, and then pass you the test kit with instructions through the barely opened window. You then park up and perform the test per instructions. If you need another test kit you put your hazard lights on and someone will come to your car.
I have had to test my kids several times for the ONS survey. I don't bother doing it in the throat, we always get results by just going into one nostril. Try to get quite high up for the swab. I won't pretend it's easy as my DD usually pulls my arm down as soon as I start swabbing.
Would the promise of a treat help? How old is your DC?

Confuzzlediddled · 09/04/2021 21:49

At ours we had the choice of doing it yourself or staff doing the swab. When we took DS we chose for the staff to do it as he's autistic, they were much more successful than I would have been!

Newnormal99 · 09/04/2021 21:51

I was told I had to do the throat swab on my sensory issue laden daughter and she threw up in the car whilst doing it....not the best day.

Turns out she did only need to do nose.......

Original poster

TinyTear · 09/04/2021 21:51

She is 6
Hates the car - ahrgh number 1
Hates anything in her nose - ahrgh number 2
Hates anything in her throat and vomits easily so not even trying throat if I don't have to...

I will let her take a cuddly toy and we were already going to get new books on Monday when the shops open... Need to think of another bribe...

OP posts:

superking · 09/04/2021 21:53

I just climbed into the back to do my DS5. If you can't do that then you might need another adult in the back I guess.

It's not particularly pleasant (I've done 2 on DS) but not awful. I explained what I'd be doing beforehand. Gave him a bag of haribo that I told him he could start eating as soon as I'd finished, focused the mind Told him it would feel strange but wouldn't hurt and that I'd count down from 5 for each nostril. Held his head back against the car seat (again, we practiced this beforehand and I explained it was to make sure we could get it done as quickly as possible). He squeaked a bit but all done quickly.

Just take your time, read the instructions carefully (maybe find them online first if you can find them) and don't panic. The staff are very friendly and helpful and you will be fine.

emmathedilemma · 09/04/2021 22:07

Have you got a walk in centre? You can drive to ours but you get out and go in the cabins and a member of staff stands at a distance and talks you through every step. Although with a child it might be easier if they're strapped in the car! Take her a drink and a treat for afterwards as it does leave your throat feeling a bit scratchy.

Original poster

TinyTear · 10/04/2021 10:49

Thanks all.
We all went in the car with windows open. I sat in the back and with two toys, sister holding one hand and me holding another, I managed to do both nostrils...

A chocolate bunny afterwards helped...

Temperature is all gone, but hey, had to be done... Here's to a negative soon so we can leave the flat again...

OP posts:

HolmeH · 10/04/2021 12:10

I’ve been allowed to get out at two different centres recently.. I think they’ve relaxed the rules on it slightly. Early on, I had to climb in the back which was interesting.. a lot easier getting out. Might depend on the size of the carpark. Both these were large & I was sent to park far away from other cars!

Vickles20 · 10/04/2021 14:42

Bravo Op

Original poster

TinyTear · 11/04/2021 16:32

Negative!!

Thanks all for the advice

OP posts:

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