*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature P: Personality Disorders.

Who Can Get A Free Covid 19 Rapid Lateral Flow Test

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

If you want to get tested but are not eligible for free rapid lateral flow tests, you need to pay for the test yourself.

You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.

If you work in healthcare or in a hospice

If you work in healthcare settings or in a hospice, you may be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests. This will depend on your job role and if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Please read the guidance and, if you are not sure of your eligibility, speak to your employer.

Check the guidance for people who work in healthcare settings

Check the guidance for people who work in hospices

How to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests if you're eligible

If you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, you may be able to pick up free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from your local pharmacy.

You can find out if a pharmacy near you is offering free tests using the Find a pharmacy service.

How to check if a pharmacy offers free tests in the find a pharmacy service

Type your postcode, which will bring up a list of local pharmacies.
Select a pharmacy.
Click 'Treatments and services' at the top of the page.
Go to the 'Screening and test services' section - if the pharmacy is offering free tests, it will say 'COVID-19 lateral flows tests (eligible NHS patients)'.

Your local integrated care board (ICB) may also be able to give you more information on where you can collect free tests.

Find your local integrated care board (ICB)

Collecting free tests for someone else

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
medical condition(s) to confirm your eligibility

If you've been sent a letter or email from the NHS about COVID-19 treatments, this should be shown to the pharmacy to help confirm your eligibility more easily.

Further information about treatments for COVID-19

Testing advice in other parts of the UK

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.