You’ll need to take a test twice weekly. For part-time or full-time staff who work regular shift across the week, we’re asking that tests be carried out on the following days:
Colleagues with irregular working patterns should do a test twice weekly, ideally 24 hours before their next shift or group of shifts.
As part of the national programme we will be introducing self-testing kits for patient-facing staff. This is a key addition to helping us protect colleagues and patients from unwitting transmission of the coronavirus.
Patient-facing colleagues will be offered self-test kits (known as lateral flow testing) to take home and use at home, twice per week. They involve a nose swab which is transferred onto a test strip and then takes up to 30 minutes to give a result.If you test positive using one of these kits, you will need to self-isolate and complete the online request form* or call the Occupational Health Staff HelpDesk on 01872 252205 to book a PCR (standard throat and nose swab) test to confirm the result.
You will also need to let your line manager or, if out of hours, the person responsible for your team, know as soon as possible, so that cover can be arranged whilst you are waiting for your confirmatory result.
We recommend you take the first test at work, with a colleague.
Here is a link to a video showing how the swabs should be used, created and kindly shared by colleagues at Royal Surrey NHS FT. This is best viewed in Chrome or Safari. There is also a link to a written leaflet here.
Here is a link to a number of Frequently Asked Questions should you want to know more.
Test kits are being distributed to highest risk areas first, generally emergency admission areas and those caring for the most vulnerable patient groups. They will then be rolled out to all patient facing areas as more stocks arrive from the national distribution centre.
You’ll need to take a test twice weekly. For part-time or full-time staff who work regular shift across the week, we’re asking that tests be carried out on the following days:
Colleagues with irregular working patterns should do a test twice weekly, ideally 24 hours before their next shift or group of shifts.
Line managers will follow-up up missing or unreported results with team members.
You should use the new C19 system for Lateral flow test reporting (Link opens in a new window).
Colleagues on our Staff HelpDesk are here if you need help, please call on 01872 25 2205 or email rcht.coronavirus@nhs.net
We are required to report negative and positive results of all testing. Therefore, everyone taking part will need to complete the online test record form* each time they do a test. All positive results will be recorded through the Staff HelpDesk as the member of staff will need to be booked for a confirmatory PCR test. The HelpDesk will require the batch number of the positive test when a member of staff calls in to say they have tested positive.
Your support for the self-testing programme will make a big contribution in our fight against coronavirus and will reduce the risk to you, your colleagues, your patients and families.
* Link will not open in Internet Explorer, please use Chrome or another browser.
Further information on asymptomatic testing and additional frequently asked questions can be found on the NHS Employers website:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/covid19/health-safety-and-wellbeing/asymptomatic-testing
If you have any questions about the people elements of the NHS Employers FAQs, please email nhsi.stafftesting@nhs.net
After a positive COVID PCR test as long as you are well you should not use the lateral flow or have any other COVID swab test for 90 days from this initial positive COVID PCR test – UNLESS you get new symptoms of COVID-19 more than 14 days after your positive test – if this happens you need to arrange a new PCR test,
NO, You should not be at work if you are not well. Even if you feel OK to work you must get a COVID PCR test (you are symptomatic) and wait for a negative result before you come back to work. The Lateral flow test is not as sensitive as the PCR test so if you have symptoms it is not enough to reassure you that you are COVID negative. You may still be shedding virus and therefore at risk of spreading it to patients, colleagues or friends and family. It is very important you arrange a COVID PCR test.
Keep doing the lateral flow test on your scheduled days but as a contact of a known case it is not enough by itself – You need to contact your manager and the occupational health helpdesk, and follow their advice about completing a contact tracing questionnaire and arranging a COVID PCR test, or isolating before you come back to work.
All the COVID tests need a well taken swab. If your swab is taken well and has collected a good sample from your nose (and it was “uncomfortable” doing this) the lateral flow test is able to pick up almost all strongly positive cases. It is most useful when it is done regularly (twice a week) but it is not as good at picking up early or late infection or when there is a low level of virus present
While the lateral flow test is not as sensitive as PCR it is quick, easy to do and you can do it at home. This makes it a good safety net when it is done regularly (twice a week) as long as you are not been in close contact of a positive case without good PPE and as long as you don’t have symptoms
YES, you should keep up with regular lateral flow testing. We know vaccination helps you stop getting seriously ill from COVID BUT we don’t know how good it is at stopping you having an asymptomatic or very mild infection where you would still transmit the virus to patients and other people. Until we know the answer to this its important to keep up with your regular lateral flow testing regime