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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Paternity Test NHS?

15 replies

Singlemum401 · 31/05/2020 07:11

How does it work when doing a paternity test after the baby is born?

Can it be done on the NHS?

I've had to block potential baby dad last night because he's causing me so much stress so I wondered if it can be done remotely. Such as I take baby to my local hospital and he goes to his local hospital to do his sample? He lives 2.5 hours via public transport to where I am or 4 hours away if I move to a house I'm looking at so really not an ideal situation.

Thanks in advance! x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FunnyInjury · 31/05/2020 07:15

Is he insisting on a test?

If you know who the father is I wouldnt bother tbh 🤷‍♀️

But no, I've never heard of paternity testing on the NHS. I think you can buy kits online though and yes you can do the swabs separately and send them back. He could just seab someone else though if he wants to deny paternity, and then he would have a test result as 'proof' too, so again, I wouldn't bother.

AllTheCakes · 31/05/2020 07:21

Why should the NHS pay for a paternity test? You need to get it done privately.

Original poster

Singlemum401 · 31/05/2020 07:28

I'm only asking because when I've spoken to my midwife etc she made it sound like they did it.

I need a paternity test because there's 2 potential fathers. One wants nothing to do with baby and the other wants everything to do with baby so I need to know whom the father is.

Thanks

OP posts:

lonelySam · 31/05/2020 09:09

Just get a paternity test from the potential father who is easier to deal with. If it comes back negative then you know it's the other one.

Original poster

Singlemum401 · 31/05/2020 09:29

@lonelySam

I would but the one that doesn't want anything to do with baby wouldn't take a paternity test. So I have no choice but to get one from the one who wants to be involved.

OP posts:

Fedhimtotigers · 31/05/2020 09:32

No. The NHS do not provide DNA tests for free.
They can be done in GP practices so maybe that's where the confusion came from.

You will need to pay.

Tatty101 · 31/05/2020 09:36

Sounds like a tough situation

You'll have to pay because this isn't something the NHS should be paying for and therefore they don't offer the tests. I believe you can get them online though?

Greggers2017 · 31/05/2020 09:42

The potential dad is probably pestering you because he wants to know if the little baby is his. He wants to be involved in the baby's life so why wouldn't you get it sorted for the baby's sake?
He probably doesn't want to bond with the baby and then find out it isn't his. That's not fair to all involved. Just get it done ASAP. Won't happen on the NHS.

PumpkinP · 31/05/2020 13:59

Why should they? If you don’t know who the babies dad is the I actually think it’s you that should be paying for the test. They aren’t that expensive a friend did one. If you can afford a baby you can afford the test

Original poster

Singlemum401 · 31/05/2020 17:06

It was just a question, everyone seems to have taken it quite personally. I'm more than able to get one done online but would feel stupid had i done this and my midwife then told me it would be done in the hospital.

Thank you for the judgment though, I'd feel terrible if everyone was too nice.

OP posts:

mylittlesandwich · 31/05/2020 17:08

Best bet would be to have a chat with your midwife when you next see her, she'll be able to let you know the best way to go about it and any cost.

Tatty101 · 31/05/2020 17:49

I think it's more that this is a very difficult time for the NHS with a lot of extra costs and issues with capacity due to coronavirus. It winds people up to think of those precious resources being spent on something that is not urgent and is entirely within your and the possible Father's control.

Having said that, I agree. Do you honestly believe you should get a paternity test for free? Why should taxpayers have to pay for it?

PumpkinP · 31/05/2020 17:53

Well it’s going to get people’s backs up isn’t it, the nhs are struggling already and you want a free paternity test because you don’t know who your child’s father is? I can’t work out if this thread is serious or a joke

Muppetry76 · 06/06/2020 04:20

If it turns out that the one who would take a test is not the father and you are 100% sure the other guy is the only other possibility, it doesn't matter if her refuses to take a test. For child maintenance he can only get out of paying (or at least being responsible for paying ) if he takes a test. Otherwise paternity is assumed. You can't name him on the birth certificate unless you are married or he turns up when you register the birth.

Cabinfever10 · 08/06/2020 14:18

@Singlemum401
I remember your last thread. I'm so sorry that you are still dealing with this twat of a man.
You need to protect yourself and do a test through a court approved testing facility. When my dds dad decided that he wasn't her dad (only after the csa caught up with him) we had to go to the testing facility (separately) and prove (with photo id) who we were and they took swabs from all 3 of us, this was 18+ years ago though I doubt that it has changed much so you shouldn't have to see him.
Hope this helps

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