Frontline workers, including community pharmacy staff in England, can access free testing for COVID-19, via the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) national testing service.
Testing will allow those currently unable to return to work because they or a member of their family or household have symptoms of coronavirus to know whether they do have the virus.
An online portal developed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be used to allow community pharmacy staff, to book a test at one of the national test centres. This online portal is a temporary facility and it will be replaced by a permanent digital booking system; updated details of how to book a test will be provided when the new system goes live.
In line with national guidance, NHSE/I are mobilising testing for health and social care staff.
Eligibility for testing is as follows:
- Self-isolating because NHS worker is symptomatic: In this instance the NHS keyworker is the only eligible person in their household to receive a COVID-19 test. No other members of their household are eligible.
- Self-isolating because an adult (over 18) in their household is symptomatic, but the key worker is not: In this instance only the adult household member(s) of the NHS keyworker is eligible to come to a test centre to receive a COVID-19 test. It is that household member(s) whose data must be collected and sent to The National Test Centres – with the key workers name noted. The key worker will not receive a test. If more than one household member is symptomatic, but not the NHS worker, then all household members should be tested.
- Self-isolating because a child (under 18) in their household member is symptomatic, but the key worker is not: we are awaiting further guidance on this
- Self-isolating for other reasons: If the NHS keyworker is self-isolating for other reasons and is not themselves symptomatic, they are not eligible to be tested
National Testing Information
For information about eligibility and how to access testing at a national test centre click here
Local Testing Information
A protocol has been developed for staff testing for NHS, public sector and other organisations, (including regulated and VCSFE/Charitable sector) that are part of the Integrated Care System in Lancashire and South Cumbria and that require urgent testing to be undertaken to allow staff (or family members of key workers with symptoms) to be tested for Covid 19 infection, and to support a managed return to work of key workers. This is a protocol for ‘drive in ‘ testing only
All pharmacies in Lancashire and South Cumbria ICS area will have already received an email copy of the protocol. If you have not received this please email office@pharmacylancashire.org to request one