Where you can find a lateral flow test in Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley so you can toast New Year with friends

By Kiro Evans, local democracy reporter

 

The hunt for New Year’s Eve lateral flow tests (LTFs) is on – and in South-East London they can be found in an unexpected place.

Party-goers have been told to test before and after any New Year celebrations as cases of the Omicron variant continue to rise in the capital.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has spoken to nearly 30 providers throughout Greenwich, Bexley and Bromley, with the majority saying they have no lateral flow tests (LFTs) available.

Frustrated pharmacists have revealed how deliveries which were suppose to arrive never did over the last week.

They also say that tests which do come fly off the shelves within hours after the Government urged people earlier this month to test before attending crowded events.

Those seeking last minute LFTs in South-East London before new year bashes may be surprised to hear that their best bet are libraries.

Some boroughs such as Greenwich have provided libraries with regular batches of lateral flow tests.

This is in order to help support communities and give locals as many places as possible to test for Covid.

As pharmacies run out due to demand, some Greenwich libraries say they are still sporting healthy stock.

Greenwich Centre Library reported having as much as 300 packs of lateral flow tests, but staff warned “they have been going quite quickly”.

This compares favourably to the Asda’s Charlton pharmacy, where one employee told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were down to “less than half a box”, which he said added up to about 18 individual test kits.

Blackheath Library also said they had “enough” LFTs, but refused to be drawn on any individual number.

In Bexley, Thamesmead Library staff said they are “running out quite quickly” but do have testing supplies, but have limited it two boxes per person.

Greenwich Council Leader Dan Thorpe also tweeted this afternoon that tests could be found at Eltham library, Woolwich Centre, Greenwich Centre and Blackheath library.

While libraries told of healthy supplies, high street pharmacies revealed their frustration with the “inconsistent” deliveries of the tests amid a reported UK shortage.

Staff at Boots Pharmacy in Orpington, Bromley, said they hoped some would arrive this afternoon but could make “no guarentees”.

Neither of the other two major Boots in Bromley responded to contact made.

PE Logan Pharmacy, Day Lewis Pharmacy and Mangal Pharmacy were among the providers in Greenwich who reported no stock.

The employee at Mangal Pharmacy said he believes “everyone is panicking” to get their hands on tests as cases surge, and added they were hopeful of delivery this afternoon.

Other providers, such as Bexley’s Compact Medipharmacy and Lloyd’s Pharmacy, were also hopeful of tests being delivered by the afternoon.

But there were complaints about the delivery of stock, with staff at Meridian Greenwich hitting out at the “inconsistent” providers of the tests.

Staff at Steven’s Pharmacy & Travel Clinic added: “They’re saying every day but they’re just not coming in.”

Other pharmacies, such as HN Dickinson Pharmacy in Bexley and 7 Day Chemist, reported how even when they had tests they were usually gone within a few hours as people rushed to make sure they are negative.

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday warned that he would have to “constrain” the Covid testing system as demand rises.

Mr Thorpe blasted Mr Javid over this statement on Twitter yesterday, and said it looked like the minister “didn’t bother to communicate” with councils over testing.