News

NHS Test and Trace has made weekly COVID-19 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Lateral Flow testing (LFT) available to all hospices in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This document is your guide of how to effectively utilise the test kits given to you by the Hospice.

Testing is important because;

• It protects our Children, Young people, families, staff and visitors
• Prevents and controls outbreaks by identifying cases early
• Provides reassurance, allowing those who test negative to carry on working​

Types of COVID-19 test

If you are working or volunteering in one of our retail units you will not need to change any process currently in place. The following if for onsite staff and volunteers only.

We will be changing our testing model to the incorporate the below two tests for all Hospice staff;

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – which are over 99% effective and pick up positive results at early and late stages of the virus. Completed tests are sent to a lab for processing.
• Rapid lateral flow tests – which are effective at detecting virus in those with high levels of coronavirus in their system. Results are given within 30 minutes and kits do not need to be sent to labs for processing.

All PCR tests must be completed on a Monday.

All Lateral Flow tests must be completed on a Monday and Thursday (this overwrites your previous scheduled days)

Detailed guidance on what to do, when to do it and how to report your results can all be found in the document you received with your first set of tests and also on the quick links section below.

If you are working or volunteering in one of our retail units you will not need to change any process currently in place. The following if for on site staff and volunteers only.

If you have any questions, please contact the HR team.