COVID. My wife and I have both avoided it for four years, but it has struck at last - and at just about the most inconvenient time possible, but that's another story.
I now get my free tests from the pharmacy (because I'm immune-compromised with a blood cancer). I took a test, it was positive, I tried to report it...
You can no longer report free-from-the-pharmacy test results online. I have no idea why not, but there it is. My most recent NHS letters and the gov.uk website say report via 119 (or 111, depending on which letter you read), or to GP. I tried 111, and got routed through a long and tedious voicemail system which eventually took me back to the beginning - you can't report these results online (or, it seemed, anywhere else in the system).
Tried 119. Same result.
Tried GP surgery. Usual voicemail menu followed by "We are experiencing an exceptionally high volume of calls..."
Despair.
BUT - phone answered by a receptionist almost straight away. I reported the result, she asked a few questions, went off to speak with colleagues. Within five minutes rang back, referring me to Infectious Diseases Unit at Basildon, where they will make decisions about anti-virals (my guess is that my symptoms so far are too mild for that, but have to go through the routine).
Now awaiting a call from Basildon.
Usual government/NHS mix of impressive efficiency and complete hopelessness.
UPDATE: Basildon called, I'm ok for antivirals and 5 days of Paxlovid will arrive by courier this evening. 10/10 to the NHS for that!
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