Which covid test for NHS operation/procedures?

[BeansOnToast56]

Dh is having a routine procedure in 10 days, consultant said he needed to have a covid test which would be free on NHS. I rang 119 to arrange it and they said you can't be tested on the NHS for an NHS operations. The person I spoke to has to be mistaken surely? Has anybody had a procedure recently and know how it works? The clinic don't arrange the tests I rang them just now and they said they are free but don't know what to suggest about booking one if 119 won't allow it but he 100% needs a negative nhs pcr test for the procedure to go a head.

My Dad has recently had surgery. We had to go to a drive through test centre at the hospital. His name was on the list when we pulled up.

I would just go online and book one yourself.

Oh ok, this might be the confusion then as it's not being done at the hospital but a day clinic which doesn't have a test centre.

I thought the clinic would arrange, is he getting a pre op assessment? could ask them at that. Where I am, appointments for covid test sent out with op info

Had the pre op appointment and scan last week, that's when he was told he needed to arrange an NHS pcr test. I couldn't attend the appointment due to covid and dh didn't ask any further questions about the covid test because he is a fool!

My mum had an operation a while back and her test was booked for her by the hospital at a specific pre-op site

There is an option on the online booking form for this

I will ring the clinic back then as they must need to book the test.

Ds is going in tonight for a procedure, the hospital arranged the pre admission test

Also, I presume your dh was also told he will have to isolate after the test until his operation?

@BarefootHippieChick

Also, I presume your dh was also told he will have to isolate after the test until his operation?

Apparently not anymore! I was told DS didn’t need to isolate after the test which didn’t make sense to me (and we did anyway!)

Maybe contact local hospital switchboard and ask to speak with pre op covid testing, they maybe able to help. For timescale, I needing mine 72 hours prior to admission

sirzy that's a bit daft isn't it?! My mums op was last month and she had to isolate for 3 days after, when she went into hospital they double checked she hadn't been anywhere and did another test. Maybe it just depends on the hospital.

No was not told he needed to isolate. It's a vasectomy so not a proper operation and not done at the hospital in our area. It is being done at a minor procedure clinic which is attached to a big GP surgery. Anyway I just rang them again and she boom through 119 and say your doctor has requested you get a test and it is free at a drive through or walk in centre.

My dad recently had surgery and had a test as part of his pre-op check.
He was also not required to isolate prior to his op (was a major op).

Fairly sure you can just arrange this yourself online OP. This on the the booking site.

My dad has been told he has to isolate before his day surgery. Does policy change from trust to trust?

My DP had a pre op assessment a week before his op. This included a covid test. He then had to isolate for the week.

My Dad had to isolate two weeks before his operation. My Mum was told she had to isolate too as she lived with him. It's pointless having a Covid test and then mixing with other people.

You need a hospital PCR test and you absolutely have to isolate from the test to booking in the hospital, have the test 72 hours before.

@baffledcoconut

My dad has been told he has to isolate before his day surgery. Does policy change from trust to trust?

It does seem to vary. Maybe it is dependent on the cases in a particular area. My dad asked if he had to isolate and he was told no. I know of someone else who had an op in the same trust and was told the same.