Testing for staff

Health care professional COVID-19 swabbing

We firstly would like to thank you for the incredible work you are doing in our response to Covid-19.  We know that those of you working in front-line roles want to care for our patients and residents; and we know that many of you become frustrated when, if you or a member of your household develop symptoms of Covid-19, you are asked to stay off work, even if you feel well, because you have been unable to be tested for the illness.

We are expanding our staff testing/swabbing service for Covid-19. This will mean that when a member of staff reports absence due to either having symptoms of Covid-19 themselves, or who report that they are isolating due to a member of their household having symptoms, they or their household contact(s) will be able to have a Covid-19 test organised locally by the NHS. 

This will be invaluable in ensuring we have sufficient people to care for our patients and residents in the response to Covid-19.  

Nationally, clinicians working in the following services have been prioritised for testing:

• Critical Care 
• Emergency Departments 
• Ambulance services.

Locally, across Mid & South Essex, we are going further and have agreed that we will offer testing to other essential (clinical and non-clinical) staff involved in caring for our population, for Primary Care this includes:

• GPs 
• Registrars 
• Nurses 
• Direct Patient Care 
• Management 
• Call Handling Admin.

We will be rolling the testing service out in a phased way to deliver 500 tests per day in the coming weeks.  

Individuals will be invited to download an App that will enable them to book a slot at one of three drive-in testing centres across mid and south Essex.

For more information Read our Staff Swabbing FAQ’s.