Test and Trace

[Member345787]

I was surprised by our experience with Test and Trace this week. DS and DD both tested positive after an outbreak at school, and I was telephoned by Test and Trace after receiving their results.

I absolutely appreciate that it is a basic admin role to collect information and they are following a script but it does feel like a clunky way of collecting information!

I don't know many people's telephone numbers off by heart because they are all stored in my phone (I struggled to remember some people's full name during the telephone conversation!) As Test and Trace rang me on my mobile, I couldn't work out how to access my contacts whilst on the call (and no they couldn't call back nor could I call them back). I have since realised that many of the school mums I only have FB contact with, so I don't even have their mobile numbers.

I don't know any of the family's NHS numbers off by heart. No I don't know the postcode to the primary school without Google. I also had to repeat a lot of the information to the caller because they didn't recognise the area names or couldn't hear me properly.

I had already notified everyone anyway through various Whatsapp and FB groups, and kept the school informed, and I appreciate that maybe not everyone would do that. But why don't they send out a form through email and ask you to fill in contact details for all your contacts and return the form - at least then I could give it some thought and access all resources to find the information I needed.

I appreciate it is a necessary function in current climate but it felt like a very antiquated method of collection

I think most people who have dealings with it agree it is completely shit. The problem is that it will put people off having PCRs because if you test positive you are opening a surreal can of worms.

And yes they asked me if I knew the names of the kids that my DD had been sat next to in class before she tested positive. Sod that for a lark, if they really need to know they can contact the school and ask them.

They always ask if there is people you can’t identify- just say yes. They will contact the organisation.

It just felt really random, like a half hearted attempt. Either the authorities want to ensure they have traced all contacts (in which case they should have a system that allows me to find out and give full contact information for them) or not bother. Many of the contacts I had to say I had no contact details for (although I had already told the contacts myself via Whatsapp, text or FB).

I am guessing it is seen as a basic admin function which is a real shame for such a key function. The last lady that I spoke to seemed at least to have some common sense but it was a very painful 30 minutes having to spell phonetically every name and address in the earlier calls.

Considering I ordered lateral flow tests and PCR tests online (having given personal information) I don't understand why the Test and Trace isn't the same method. The last caller told me it was completed over the telephone because the positive cases were under 18 but I don't think DD or DS would have been any better at giving contact information over the phone than I was!

Yes I had a very frustrating call with them myself earlier. I was sleeping earlier cos ya know I'm ill! Woke up to umpteen missed calls and voicemails - the voicemails VERY unprofessional as they didn't speak clearly and didn't say who was calling! This is a bug bear of mine generally when official bodies/companies phone you and don't employ even REALLY BASIC phone etiquette. Especially when they launch into asking me for very private info without even introducing themselves! Yea I'm gonna give out all my personal info to someone who hasn't even given me a first name! Not!

I called back the missed call number displayed (without having a clue who I was calling) to which the call handler answered as follows:

"Yep!"

So I then had to say I was returning a missed call and to whom was I speaking and why had they called?

She then proceeded to say it was because I have tested positive and need to give contact tracing info. But then when I was like "ok what do you need to know?"

"Oh I can't do it with you it needs to be the person that calls you"

"So you don't work in the contact tracing dept then?"

"I do but I can't take the info from you"

"Why not?"

"Because that's not how it works"

"So how does it work?"

"You need to answer the phone when we call"

"I am very ill and I am sleeping a lot I need the rest. I am not being woken up for this! Can you even give me a rough time when someone will call?"

"No"

"You've also emailed and text me why can't the info be sent by text or email?"

"Because that's not how it works"

Absolutely maddening conversation!

Like bugger am I leaving phone on to deal with this crap when I need the rest/sleep and I'm feeling so bloody lousy!

It would not be that hard as you say op to create an email form people can complete at their convenience inc when they've been able to check nhs numbers etc it's ridiculous!

The system is a bloody shambles.

As is parts of the 119 provision. Although, to be fair, I have spoken to one extremely kind, professional and knowledgable person at 119.

My DD (12) tested positive with a PCR on Tuesday. T&T took the details down wrong and recorded the wrong Day 1 for isolation purposes. They can't change the date in the system. The emails and texts tell me DD legally has to SI for 14 days simply because they put the wrong date in. No way of changing it. DD is a rule follower and is distraught at the thought of a) dating in isolation for 14 days or b) risking prosecution.

• staying, not dating!

Totally irrelevant comment from me here but I think that this is the first time in ages that I have seen someone call the T & T service by its correct name - Test & Trace!!

I don't know why but it irrationally irks me when people call it Track & Trace.

So thank you OP

I spoke to them once a few days ago and it was an absolute waste of the two minutes I was on the call. I’ve since ignored their calls and as of about two hours ago I’m free of them

Most people know just tell them the details of immediate family and relatives they've had close contact with, and inform anyone else who may be affected themselves. That's probably the best way to do it as it allows others to decide what to do. The way its ripping through our local Primary school just now, and the lack of information from the school, would indicate that self isolation of close contacts doesn't matter much any more. I think it wont be long before isolation is no longer required

I've had 2 calls today from track and trace,the 2nd one spoke so fast off his script I couldn't understand a word he said. I think he was tryin* to win some sort of record for the quickest call ever.

That's probably to make up for the ones that get you to slowly spell out every word for them.

When I did a PCR at a testing centre I got a card with the barcode and on the back was a form you could fill in in anticipation of a test and trace call. I did this, looked up the numbers, postcodes in advance and it was a breeze when the call came. Easier to prepare if you know test is likely to be positive.

I had some really good callers and some a bit less good. I guess it's not a terribly well paid job and temporary so there are limits what you can expect I guess - especially now that quite a few lower paid sectors have a lot of vacancies...

Didn't you have a form in the test pack? It's on the back of the test receipt and you're supposed to fill it in so you're prepared when they call you. Well I had one at least when I went for one. Didn't need to speak to them though as negative.

When my DC tested positive, they phoned 4 times a day for a fortnight. Once for each person in the house. The first call where they asked where DD had been in the last X number of days was impossible. The call handler spoke nearly no English and couldn't deviate from the script. We had a very convoluted discussion about where DD had been the weekend before she tested positive. It was a birds of prey experience centre. She understood the word "prey" but then kept asking which religion and I tried to explain, she asked which church and so on. It was really hard work. I felt quite sorry for her.

Yes my DH had the same. Eventually he said that the line was really bad so it would probably be better if they phoned back later (hoping it would be someone different, which thankfully it was!).

Ah the relentlessness of harrassment from Test and Trace when DS2 had Covid last winter was a special kind of hell.

Looks like DS1 has it and DS2 possibly again, so am dreading the barrage of calls at random times when I'm working, the length of calls and the sheer frustration of the interrogation tactics.

@Shadeelane

Didn't you have a form in the test pack? It's on the back of the test receipt and you're supposed to fill it in so you're prepared when they call you. Well I had one at least when I went for one. Didn't need to speak to them though as negative.

I don't remember seeing that, although to be fair I didn't bother looking at what they gave me, I just chucked it all in the cupboard with the boxes of LFTs they gave me.

I am interested to read about this as dh got a text from test and trace a few weeks back, telling him he was a close contact of a positive case. It was addressed to him, on his mobile. Thing is, he is not registered for the nhs app or the covid app and the only people he had seen within the relevant time frame, apart from me, were two members of the family who we know have not had Covid. It is a complete mystery why he was contacted.

Thank you @StarCat2020 for the compliment although I have to admit I had to google it - in my mind Track and Trace makes more sense for the job they are doing ?!?!?! Anyhoo to answer previous posters, yes I did get the card and started to fill in but we had a pretty normal "non lockdown" type of week with children's activities - swimming, football, gymnastics, a school friend's party, school etc - so there wasn't enough room even if I had had the time. Our PCR test result arrived on email overnight and T&T were on the phone at 08.00! I suppose I can't moan that particular inefficiency!

And this is why I won’t get a pcr. If lateral flow is positive or any symptoms, I will isolate for 10 days and inform anyone I had contact with myself.
They can’t hold you down and force you to do a pcr.

DS (15) has Covid - T&T didn't ask for names, just where he'd been. It all seemed a bit pointless as they didn't ask for times etc. They took the name of his school but I don't think schools get involved any more so there will be no contract tracing there either.

Also they keep emailing saying can he put this code in the NHS Covid app so they can trace contracts. He tried to download the app but you need to be 16! Most of his contacts won't have it either as they are also under 16.

So no contact tracing going on for kids at all, from what I can see.

@middleager

Ah the relentlessness of harrassment from Test and Trace when DS2 had Covid last winter was a special kind of hell.

Looks like DS1 has it and DS2 possibly again, so am dreading the barrage of calls at random times when I'm working, the length of calls and the sheer frustration of the interrogation tactics.

DS1 and I have tested positive now. I feel wretched and missed a few calls from.T&T re my son (Ive got my results today so not rang about me). The advisor said it would take 25 mins. I said I have Covid and feel lousy and not up to the call, but he didn't care and said if I didn't talk to him, as was my legal responsibility he'd pass my details on to the local authority to chase. So I endured the call, delirious, feeling ghastly and unable to focus properly. I kept saying I had Covid and was in bed etc but he didn't show one ounce of care.

And now I have to go through it all again for me and DS2 if he tests positive.

What is the legal position? I had a test and trace call after close contact today. To be honest I was loathe to speak to them. Caller asked to speak to my 7 year old which got my back up straight off. He wanted NHS numbers etc, like we should just be able to recite them. DD spent 30 mins with child who later tested positive. I spend all day in a Covid ridden school and never get called. I told him the system doesn't add up and refused offer of PCR test. DD has sensory issues and to be fair I no longer see the point in testing if it doesn't lead to anything actually being done. I would test if symptomatic but not putting her through it to jump through hoops.