Staff swabbing: Standard operating procedure and FAQs

Update on staff swabbing (PCR Testing) for COVID-19

As you know we have been conducting staff swabbing (PCR Testing) for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from three local sites in mid and south Essex;

• Phoenix House – Basildon
• Wren House – Chelmsford
• Nazereth House – Southend

We are now at the point where demand for tests has dropped significantly therefore we are making some changes to how we support testing and where it is carried out.

From Monday 6 July we will no longer conduct tests at Phoenix House, Basildon and Wren House, Chelmsford.

Drive through testing by the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust will continue to be offered for NHS employees (Acute, Mental Health, Community/Hospice, Primary Care) at the following three locations:

• Orsett Hospital – Orsett
• Broomfield Hospital – Chelmsford
• Garon Park – Southend

Details of these three sites will be updated onto the booking system, so that staff can choose the most appropriate site when arranging a test.

Please note: Staff outside of the NHS should use the national testing services available which include national sites, mobile testing units (more information below) and home delivery.

Further details can be found on the gov.uk website.

Download Guide to COVID-19 Testing

Additional information

This SOP covers the testing of symptomatic health and care workers and symptomatic household contacts of health and care workers for Covid-19.