Testing
Who is eligible for testing and how to get a test.
Lateral Flow Test Service
Free NHS COVID-19 lateral flow tests are available to people who are at high risk of becoming severely ill due to COVID-19 and are eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments. Further information about who is eligible for antiviral treatments is available from COVID-19 treatments | GOV.WALES
If you are eligible for the free NHS COVID-19 lateral flow tests, you can now collect them from a community pharmacy.
If you visit a pharmacy to get a supply of lateral flow tests you may be asked about your medical history to confirm you are eligible for the free tests.
This service has replaced the online and telephone ordering services for free rapid lateral flow tests provided by GOV.UK and NHS 119.
If you aren’t eligible the pharmacy will not be able to provide you with any free tests.
Service Information
Free NHS COVID-19 lateral flow tests are available to people who are at high risk of becoming severely ill due to COVID-19 and are eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatments. Further information about who is eligible for antiviral treatments is available from COVID-19 treatments | GOV.WALES
If you're unsure if you are eligible, speak to your doctor or hospital specialist who can advise you.
You can also Find out more about people at the highest risk who are eligible for COVID-19 treatment on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website
If you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, you should keep rapid lateral flow tests at home you can now collect them from a community pharmacy.
If you visit a pharmacy to get a supply of lateral flow tests you may be asked about your medical history to confirm you are eligible for the free tests. If you have a copy of a letter or email sent to you by the NHS that says you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment, take this with you. A letter or email is not essential, but it will help the pharmacy to confirm you’re eligible for free tests more easily.
Someone else can collect free tests on your behalf, for example, a friend, relative or carer.
Anyone collecting free tests on your behalf needs to give the pharmacy your details, including your:
- full name
- address
- date of birth
- NHS number (if available)
- medical condition(s) to confirm your eligibility
They should also bring any copies of letters or emails that have been sent to you by the NHS about COVID-19 treatments if you have them.