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Original poster

Availability of Lateral Flow Tests

26 replies

Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:11

Our local chemist no longer stocks them and said that now we have to get them online.
I wondered if others discovering this?
I had a bad experience of ordering online a couple of months ago as they never arrived - yet delivery was confirmed as arriving.
I will try again but don't think school giving enough, one cox for this half term.
I had heard rumours about the government going to start charging from them but thought these just rumours but maybe that is the way they going to go.
Anyone know?

OP posts:
Londonnight · 13/10/2021 07:14

I have only ever ordered them online and they are delivered the next day. Never had a problem.

Original poster
Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:16

@Cet73

Our local chemist no longer stocks them and said that now we have to get them online. I wondered if others discovering this? I had a bad experience of ordering online a couple of months ago as they never arrived - yet delivery was confirmed as arriving. I will try again but don't think school giving enough, one cox for this half term. I had heard rumours about the government going to start charging from them but thought these just rumours but maybe that is the way they going to go. Anyone know?
TYPO!! ** i meant 'box'!!
OP posts:
Original poster
Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:17

@Londonnight

I have only ever ordered them online and they are delivered the next day. Never had a problem.
Thanks.
OP posts:
Idontlike · 13/10/2021 07:18

Like pp, mine are always delivered the next day too.
I also get a text & email saying they are on the way and another one saying they have been delivered.

If they don’t arrive within a day or two just order another box.

Orangejuicemarathoner · 13/10/2021 07:18

Ask the school for more?

NautaOcts · 13/10/2021 07:20

If they don’t arrive…. Surely just order more? Bit of a non issue I would’ve thought

InTheLabyrinth · 13/10/2021 07:21

DH has never had a problem ordering online.
Schools are swimming in the things. I'm sure your child could pick up more at school. Have they asked?

Original poster
Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:31

NautaOcts
The experience put me off tbh and so decided it much easier for dh and I to get from chemist which had been no problem. But yes, I will try again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:34

And my memory was it quite a palaver to order online with a load of questions to go through, almost as when ordering pcr test. So maybe I on the wrong 'requesting' site - i will try again

OP posts:
CeeceeBloomingdale · 13/10/2021 07:35

I don't think that could be described as a bad experience. It's not like you're out of pocket and chasing for a refund. Just order more online, mine have always arrived the next day (or the day after that if I've order very late evening).

Original poster
Cet73 · 13/10/2021 07:42

For goodness sake - I merely asking for advice re ordering these tests and seems can't ask for anything on this site without attack. I quite with mumsnet.

OP posts:
Athinginitself · 13/10/2021 07:43

Mine always arrive super fast the next day. Worth trying again online.

Letsnotargue · 13/10/2021 07:47

I tried to get some from the chemist yesterday and I needed a code from the NHS website. Never needed that before. Maybe your chemist decided it was too much hassle and stopped stocking them.

LizzieSiddal · 13/10/2021 07:48

I too have had bad experiences ordering online. They don’t arrive or they take about 5 days so find it more convenient to go and get them from a chemist.

Now of course you need a “code” to collect them, which is fiddly and annoying when people are already very busy, filling out an online form is just another thing to do. I wonder if the government are deliberately trying to put people off getting these tests so we no longer actually test as much.

LizzieSiddal · 13/10/2021 07:50

I tried to get some from the chemist yesterday and I needed a code from the NHS website. Never needed that before. Maybe your chemist decided it was too much hassle and stopped stocking them

Yes the lady at the chemist I go to has to fill a sheet, by hand which included the “code” of high was at least 20 odd digits long. She also said since this system came in, the number coming in to collect the tests had dropped off a cliff. Many people said they just couldn’t be bothered anymore!

ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 13/10/2021 09:52

Your local library might have them.

I’ve ordered online many times and they’ve always come next day, I was very impressed that the ones I ordered on Sunday evening came first thing Monday morning.

NautaOcts · 13/10/2021 09:57

@Cet73

And my memory was it quite a palaver to order online with a load of questions to go through, almost as when ordering pcr test. So maybe I on the wrong 'requesting' site - i will try again
Def try again, I’ve recently ordered pcrs too and there were far less questions for the lateral flows, might also be quicker if you set up a login as then it saves some of your info. Maybe they’ve changed the process I don’t know
ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 13/10/2021 10:04

If you create an account it takes about 10 seconds.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 13/10/2021 10:07

I had a problem with one order that didn't arrive but I phoned 119 and a really nice woman sorted it out. Other than that the online ordering has worked well. I think if you create an account it's easier.
I saw a report on the BBC website about the proposal to start charging but it wasn't there for long.

GrapeViney · 13/10/2021 23:16

I picked a box up from a boots pharmacy a couple of days ago just fine

MissCruellaDeVil · 13/10/2021 23:23

I think you must be wrong about the school, I'm sure they will give you more if you ask. The government aren't going to start charging for the tests either, not sure where you got that from?
Just order them online, I have for months now and they are always delivered the next day.

frizzyandfrazzled · 14/10/2021 06:57

I work for my local council and they have taken to leaving packets of the older style ones all over the offices. If you have a workplace testing scheme that might be an easy option. Otherwise as people said online, they arrive next day and I much prefer the style of the newer nose only ones.

Miracle29 · 14/10/2021 08:39

Try reordering again op. I've always ordered mine and they've turned up the next day. You should get an email after ordering then I normally get a text or email to say they'll be delivered that day

Jensonfromtheblock · 14/10/2021 08:52

I think the first time you order online you possibly have to put in a few details but once you’ve made an account it’s very very quick and easy to just sign in and reorder.

Jensonfromtheblock · 14/10/2021 08:53

www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests Here is the link