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COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people. You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you: have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment. work in healthcare settings or in a hospice.
May 29, 2024 · 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.
- 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 are eligible for free tests if you're: If you work in care homes, domiciliary care, extra care and supported living services, and adult day care centres, you can also get free NHS tests. Find out more about free NHS tests if you work in adult social care on GOV.UK.
Apr 19, 2021 · Nine in ten pharmacies across England are now distributing free rapid lateral flow tests for people to collect and use at home. Rapid, regular testing is now available to everyone in England...
- Department of Health And Social Care
Sep 26, 2021 · Where can I get a free lateral flow test near me? If you live in England you can collect tests for free from pharmacies such as Boots or your local one. Tests are also available at some...
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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...
