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May 29, 2024 · Who can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests. You can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy if you're at risk of being seriously ill with COVID-19. You do not need an appointment but you'll need to show your pharmacy that you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments. Find out if you're eligible for treatments for COVID-19.
Order a free NHS COVID-19 test if you're eligible. You can get free NHS test kits sent to your home. Order NHS home test kits on GOV.UK. If you need help with your order. If you cannot use the online service to order and you're eligible for free NHS tests, you can call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm ...
Someone else can collect free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests on your behalf, for example, a friend, relative or carer. They will need to tell the pharmacy their name and address. Anyone collecting free tests on your behalf needs to give the pharmacy your details, including your: name. address.
- Overview
- Case studies
The government has introduced a number of new accessibility improvements to the home testing programme to make it even easier to get tested.
People who do not have access to the internet can now order PCR home testing kits over the phone by calling 119, without needing an email address or any other digital requirement.
This means that people without access to the internet or digital services can order PCR tests to use in their homes, if they have symptoms. The home testing service is available to everyone in the United Kingdom with COVID-19 symptoms, and can still be accessed through the home testing online portal.
In order to improve accessibility of testing services, NHS Test and Trace has worked with and sought feedback from a number of charities, including the RNIB, Macular Society, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary.
NHS Test and Trace has worked particularly closely with the RNIB, undertaking trials with volunteers with differing levels of vision quality to understand the changes that would have the most impact. Following recommendations, new tools are being introduced for those ordering home test kits who are vision impaired, including:
Additionally, the government is planning the spring launch of ‘Be My Eyes’ specialist video support, an app that customers can download that will offer customers with vision impairments live video assistance where an assistant will ‘act as their eyes’. The assistants are specially trained NHS Test and Trace staff.
Edward Bates, 30, from Winterton was a participant in one of the RNIB and DHSC trials for blind and partially sighted people and said:
It was really great to be part of the trial to improve the accessibility of the home test. I found the digital version of the instructions really helpful as I was able to read them using my screen reader software.
I am really pleased these improvements are being made so blind and partially sighted people are able to get access to a test whenever they need one.
Berni Warren, who has diabetic macular oedema (DMO) had previously ordered a home COVID-19 PCR test with the help of her husband. Berni has used the new Be My Eyes service to order and use a home test and said:
I did it with my husband and I did it completely wrong. I also needed a lot of help from him. This trial was an opportunity to do it myself, so I used Be My Eyes because then I knew I could do it independently and I wanted to do it independently. I didn’t want to rely on any other help from my family, and they are all at work anyway.
So, I phoned Be My Eyes to give me a hand and it was brilliant – really, really good. It gave me the confidence to do it properly and safely. The test is a bit fiddly, but to have someone to talk you through it really helped, because then I knew I was doing it right. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to know I was doing it the right way otherwise and I would have worried sending it off.
You can no longer order free rapid lateral flow or polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) tests from the NHS online. You may still be able to get free rapid lateral flow tests from your local pharmacy ...
The NHS offers COVID-19 treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at risk of becoming seriously ill. It is currently estimated that around 3.9 million patients are potentially eligible for free lateral flow device (LFD) tests. Although access to LFD tests may be supplemented by other pathways, (for example, through anticipatory or specialist ...
People also ask
Where can I get free NHS test kits?
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How do I get a free NHS test?
Who is eligible for free NHS tests?
Will NHS staff be able to order their own LFD testing kits?
Can I order PCR home testing kits over the phone?
The testing kits will enable colleagues to carry out regular testing for COVID-19 at home. The test kits provided via the new system may be different type, it is important that staff familiarise themselves with the tests and the instruction leaflet each time they receive a new box.
