Gransnet forums

News & politics

No lateral flow tests available

(207 Posts)
MaizieD Mon 13-Dec-21 10:21:43

I've just tried to send for a pack of LFTs via the government web site.

There are none available.

(I'd screenshot the page but I've never got the hang of screenshotting...)

Where does this leave us all?

Growing0ldDisgracefully Tue 14-Dec-21 12:15:34

Babs , yes PCR tests, according to the BBC 'breaking news' I just heard. Which means if you have a positive result from a lateral flow test you won't be able to get it confirmed or denied. Presumably this will be a short lived shortage but no doubt further announcements will be made in due course.

MissAdventure Tue 14-Dec-21 12:18:06

Nice if you're able to get to a pick up point.
Sadly I can't at the moment.

Lizbethann55 Tue 14-Dec-21 12:19:48

I work in our local library which also houses NHS clinics and some council services. We have boxes full of test kits. Try asking round to see where else you may be able to get them from

MaggsMcG Tue 14-Dec-21 12:20:26

The reason we had to get a code was basically 100s of thousands of LFT packs have been taken but over half the people are not bothering to register the results. Therefore the powers that be have decided that they are not being used and sitting on a shelf somewhere. I doubt they are but a lot of people don't want to register in case they get pinged

MissAdventure Tue 14-Dec-21 12:21:55

Its easier to get an audience with the Pope than a roll of pink sacks from our library at the best of times.

Ginpin Tue 14-Dec-21 12:29:33

Just tried in Boots. They have them but I did not have a 16 digit pin code ?????????

cossybabe Tue 14-Dec-21 12:29:38

My husband and I have just ordered some, no problem at all.

Amalegra Tue 14-Dec-21 12:56:11

I would have thought that with previous warnings from scientists that new Covid variants are inevitable, the government and the NHS would have managed to come up with a coherent plan of action and the necessary infrastructure for dealing with this reasonable efficiently. After all, these ‘experts’ are paid very highly from the public purse aren’t they? And now no lateral flow tests! Unbelievable ,or are they hoping that we get used to their multiple failures and stop asking questions? Promulgating fear and thus unquestioning compliance seems to be the name of the game now!

Rosalyn69 Tue 14-Dec-21 13:03:51

I agree with MissAdventure. We can’t get pink bags either. Rarer thank rocking horse poo.

twinnytwin Tue 14-Dec-21 13:06:54

There was a person on BBC this morning who said there was absolutely no shortage of lateral flow tests, it's a problem with the Post Office being unable to arrange delivery to home addresses and advised folk to go to their Pharmacy if desperate.

HannahLoisLuke Tue 14-Dec-21 13:14:07

Whitewavemark2

JenniferEccles

I expect there has been a huge demand following the PM’s announcement yesterday.
I’m sure stocks will be replenished soon.

He didn’t get the ducks in line did he?

Or perhaps it’s the general public dragging their heels over getting jabbed and getting in a stock of tests that are the ones not getting their ducks in a row.
I did both several weeks ago as did most of the people I know.
Why does the government have to think for us all the time?

GrannyGravy13 Tue 14-Dec-21 13:18:56

Just went online and ordered LFT to be delivered, all seemed ok.

MissAdventure Tue 14-Dec-21 13:43:11

Nothing here...

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:43:53

GrannyGravy13

Just went online and ordered LFT to be delivered, all seemed ok.

That's odd because the government's own site says (about 30 seconds ago) that there are no tests available.

test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/order-lateral-flow-kits/service-unavailable

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:45:10

I didn't even get as far as putting my postcode in. There are no online tests available in the whole of England.

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:46:13

HannahLoisLuke

Whitewavemark2

JenniferEccles

I expect there has been a huge demand following the PM’s announcement yesterday.
I’m sure stocks will be replenished soon.

He didn’t get the ducks in line did he?

Or perhaps it’s the general public dragging their heels over getting jabbed and getting in a stock of tests that are the ones not getting their ducks in a row.
I did both several weeks ago as did most of the people I know.
Why does the government have to think for us all the time?

The public has been TOLD to test rather than self-isolate. You could well ask why does the public (or most of them) do as it's told?

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:47:12

And, no, I didn't stockpile tests weeks ago because stockpiling causes shortages.

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:48:16

I have my code and have just tried the two pharmacies in town, but they don't have any and don't know when they're getting any.

Jess20 Tue 14-Dec-21 13:48:22

Panic buying, like bog-roll maybe?

MissAdventure Tue 14-Dec-21 13:49:21

I live close to grannygravy, so quickly tried when I saw she had been able to order.

growstuff Tue 14-Dec-21 13:49:53

Jess20

Panic buying, like bog-roll maybe?

Or just doing as we were told.

SueDonim Tue 14-Dec-21 13:53:47

I’ve just ordered a pack of LFT’s online. There were none last night but they seem available now.

What are pink bags for?? I haven’t heard of those!

MissAdventure Tue 14-Dec-21 13:57:17

Recycling.
It's ok though, because our council don't provide the council owned flats any bins to put recycling in, anyway.

Autumnrose Tue 14-Dec-21 14:10:38

I went to the chemist last week to get some lateral flow tests as I had a cold.
I was told that I had to scan a QR code or order from the NHS website. I didn’t have my phone with me so couldn’t scan the code. On saying I wouldn’t bother then the chemist did give me a pack. It seems to me that by making it difficult to obtain packs of tests people just won’t bother. We already know that the symptoms of a cold and Covid are indistinguishable in many cases but if people with potentially only a cold are discouraged from obtaining LFTs they may well be spreading Covid without knowing it.

MaizieD Tue 14-Dec-21 14:19:22

Reporting back. I went to two of the local outlets for LFT tests this morning, armed with my code. Both had run out of test kits. I didn't try the third because a) it's not urgent and b) a neighbour works at one who said she'd get me a couple when they're back in stock..

I'll be interested to know if all you who have ordered online get your kits.