Lateral flow test kits

[Walkacrossthesand]

Hi all, I know lateral flow tests aren't going to be 'free' any more from April (although we're still supposed to test ourselves in certain circumstances I think); I've been trying to order one last pack online for days, but getting the 'no delivery slots' message - has this system shut down too, or am I just unlucky?

Keep trying over the course of the day, they release them bit by bit. I think it's to stagger the processing.

I said this on another thread but I suspect lots of people have stockpiles who don't need them; so why not post in a local Facebook group that you are looking for some and see if anyone offers?

I’ve had other family members telling me I will kill him by taking him out everywhere he wants - he’d rather be dead than live like he is now anyway, I want him to have little moments of enjoyment but other people think it’s better to “keep him safe” by making him stare at 4 walls for the rest of his life

you are right and they are wrong

Sorry - that wasn’t an attack on anyone on here. Just had yet another shitty text from a family member, who can’t be arsed to visit themselves, telling me that he shouldn’t be going to a music venue this weekend because it’s too dangerous.

Erm, thanks for your contribution Franklin12 but the tests aren’t free. We pay a ££fuckton of taxes and NI contributions to fund things like pandemic protection so as not to kill our loved ones.

Thanks for the recommendation for suppliers, I Will be ordering ours soon. Hope others can get LFTs when they need them.

@Wellthisiscrapeh

Sorry - that wasn’t an attack on anyone on here. Just had yet another shitty text from a family member, who can’t be arsed to visit themselves, telling me that he shouldn’t be going to a music venue this weekend because it’s too dangerous.

You didn’t sound attacking to me. I agree with your approach to care. You are not in an easy situation. Good luck.

I have been trying every day/night at different times for a week and it's always been 'no delivery slots available.' Vulnerable family member. I agree that it's foolish of the government to stop them - but what's new? I feel uncomfortable with some people stockpiling them, especially if you can afford to buy them.

NB When I say 'stockpiling' I don't mean a couple of boxes, nor if you have a vulnerable loved one and are on a low income.

@TheRealMrsMac

NB When I say 'stockpiling' I don't mean a couple of boxes, nor if you have a vulnerable loved one and are on a low income.

People probably wouldn’t be stockpiling them if the government hadn’t quit supplying them during a pandemic.

I’ve had other family members telling me I will kill him by taking him out everywhere he wants - he’d rather be dead than live like he is now anyway, I want him to have little moments of enjoyment but other people think it’s better to “keep him safe” by making him stare at 4 walls for the rest of his life
@Wellthisiscrapeh I hardly visited my last grandparent for the 18 months of their life as I didn’t want to be responsible for them catching covid and passing it round the care home. (Whenever covid got in to the Care home, everyone lost their visiting time, residents were made to stay in their rooms on their own and the whole thing was awful for the residents who had dementia and didn’t understand). As it was, they died of something else and I really regret not going more often and taking the chance to see them and sit and hold their hand.
You are doing the right thing taking them out and helping them to live their last years as they want them to be lived. What are we saving people from if we are keeping them locked up?

According to the BBC, tests will remain free for the over 75s. Can you just order some for him using his name and NHS number and have them sent to your address?

@Cleothecat75 first lockdown, my dad was living independently, he hadn’t been diagnosed with anything yet.

He was carrying on as normal, going to the supermarket. Everyday he had the drs surgery calling him, giving him numbers of people who would shop for him, telling him not to leave the house.

He used to say, “what’s the worst that could happen? I’d die? I’m 85, how much longer do you want me to dodge death for?”

He gave in in the end though and spent miserable months inside, which led to his rapid decline with dementia. I’ll never forgive them for that (we lived three hours away, we’ve moved him to a care home close by).

@amicissimma

According to the BBC, tests will remain free for the over 75s. Can you just order some for him using his name and NHS number and have them sent to your address?

I can certainly try, thank you.

I tried one afternoon earlier in the week and wasnt able to order but tried again around 6am yesterday and managed to get a box delivered today. I'm due any day and the maternity unit ask that DP and I test before we go in.

I think you and everyone else is trying to get one. Hence why they keep running out!

I’ve heard they release three times a day. (Unsure of times). So just keep trying op.

The other thing I'm really confused about is - are PCR tests remaining free to access?

If so then will people needing a negative test result just order a PCR test instead?

Or will those also become payable? I'm so confused at this point! Happy to be straightened out by someone who understands!

@WoolyMammoth55

The other thing I'm really confused about is - are PCR tests remaining free to access?

If so then will people needing a negative test result just order a PCR test instead?

Or will those also become payable? I'm so confused at this point! Happy to be straightened out by someone who understands!

No PCRs wont be free anymore either. People will be able to get them through private companies but they cost £50-£100 depending on the company and results times.

@Wellthisiscrapeh my neighbour runs classes at a community centre they got sent loads (and I mean boxes of the things last week so she has been giving them to all of us) So can happily send you two or three boxes if you pm me an address ( I know what it's like lost my dad to alzheimers in 2016 and mum went into a care home then all during covid could hardly see her and lost her 2020) I would hate to think of you not being able to see your dad, and carry on taking him out, I did this with my parents and am convinced that is what kept them going. Big hugs xx

[quote quicklybeingdrivenmad]@Wellthisiscrapeh my neighbour runs classes at a community centre they got sent loads (and I mean boxes of the things last week so she has been giving them to all of us) So can happily send you two or three boxes if you pm me an address ( I know what it's like lost my dad to alzheimers in 2016 and mum went into a care home then all during covid could hardly see her and lost her 2020) I would hate to think of you not being able to see your dad, and carry on taking him out, I did this with my parents and am convinced that is what kept them going. Big hugs xx[/quote]
you are an absolute star, that’s made me so happy. I’ll PM you, I’ll pay postage obviously.

Your country is funked. N9 GPs appointment within weeks, why people are rioting and petitioning about not real issues is beyond me.

To the poster taking her Dad out, good for you. I can't get my head around some of the 'stay safe' rubbish I really can't

The NHS needs a huge overhaul but no one has the guts to take it on. Waste and people running little cottage industries is rife (I was a supplier to health trusts for years).

Look at France or German model but it is not the envy of the world and no other country has a system like this. I wonder why!

Boots and Superdrug are now selling boxes of 5 for £9.80.
I've been unable to order from Gov for a couple of weeks now

@uncomfortablydumb53

Boots and Superdrug are now selling boxes of 5 for £9.80. I've been unable to order from Gov for a couple of weeks now

That’s still a lot for me though.

If I can’t order under my dads name being over 75 (I’ve had a quick look at the site, I need to register again later and try, although I just spoke to a friend who works in a home - they order for the residents for tests for them to take in the home. So they reg their name/nhs number. So families can’t and the tests they have they don’t give to families. I need to check with my dads home if that’s the case there), then I would have to buy around 7 boxes a month as they want our whole house hold to produce negative tests if he’s to come to our house/out with us.

I can’t afford £70 a month, we would only be a lot to see him once or twice a month, probably only in his room once a week so only the person visiting will have to test (which he refuses to leave unless he’s coming to my house as he’s so depressed, he won’t even eat in the dining room).

Recently took receipt of two boxes ( for my husband and me) and both were the older throat and nasal types.