free LFTs for those 75+ in England?

General_Grant

I thought I had heard in March that those aged over 75 would still be able to obtain free test kits.  However I cannot get confirmation of this.  Did I not hear correctly - and need a hearing test, not an LFT?  Is it a service available in some parts of the UK but not England?

Peter999_2

Yes, you did hear correctly and the test kits are still free for over 75s: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51943612?pinned_post_locator=urn:bbc:cps:curie:asset:bdbeb220-ffbf-c245-b8e6-e19f70fa88c9&pinned_post_asset_id=51943612&pinned_post_type=share

You can order them from here :

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

General_Grant

That's what the BBC (and other media) say but if one tries the .gov.uk link there is no mention of simply being over 75.
  
Other than the straightforward NHS/care connections, the criterion seems to be that one must be eligible for Covid treatments and that is for those with weakened immune systems, have Downs syndrome, etc.

Perhaps I need to try phoning 119.

ETA (after going through many, many option selections on a 119 call):

NO - free LFTs are not free for those over 75 in England unless they also fit in the category of being eligible for Covid treatment.  So actually, it's that they are free for anyone over 12 who qualifies in that way.  No idea why they mention over 75 as a separate category as a 75-y-o is, unsurprisingly, also over 12.

onashoestring

It appears the BBC got this wrong the Government website makes no mention of free tests for over 75’s - 

Over 75’s are being offered an additional vaccination or “Spring booster” 

Gov website also says 

If you are not eligible for tests 

Do not call 119, as you will not be able to get a test this way. You cannot order tests from NHS 111 or 999

General_Grant

I called 119, not to get a test but to check understanding.
The very nice human call handler did suggest one category of the "medically vulnerable" not specifically mentioned on the list and that was for those with dementia.  I think it would then be down to a GP or other medical practitioner to advise the patient to get the tests and presumably also dependent on the severity of their condition.

Of course, everyone in Scotland can still get free tests.  I haven't checked for the other countries.

silvercar

Anyone can click the box to say they are eligible at the moment. So it is self defining.

General_Grant

silvercar said:

Anyone can click the box to say they are eligible at the moment. So it is self defining.

So "self defining" when not actually eligible according to the rules means either "lieing" or "not bright enough to understand".

silvercar

General_Grant said:

silvercar said:

Anyone can click the box to say they are eligible at the moment. So it is self defining.

So "self defining" when not actually eligible according to the rules means either "lieing" or "not bright enough to understand".

You can consider yourself to have a weakened immune system because of your age. If the NHS wanted to be super strict, they would make the ordering more difficult.