A new community team has been established in Lanarkshire to test people – at home – who have been identified as being at risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The dedicated team of nurses and healthcare clinical support workers are visiting people in their homes to collect samples for testing, making it easy for them to follow health advice rather than coming into contact with others in the likes of GP practices or hospitals.
The new approach will help quickly test any possible cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), keep staff safe and minimise the risk of infection.
In line with established infection control measures, the team will wear protective clothing while undertaking community testing.
NHS Lanarkshire is also establishing a fixed community testing facility at Law House in Carluke – where patients will attend and ‘drive through’ in their cars after receiving an appointment from their GP or NHS 24.
Gabe Docherty, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of public health, said the new approach was a sensible step that would benefit staff, local people and communities alike. He added: “We want to reassure our colleagues, people and communities there are no known cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Lanarkshire area at this time.
“The introduction of community testing is all about following the advice in relation to staying at home, minimising contact with others and limiting the potential spread of the virus. By doing this, we can better manage any possible cases – of course, not everyone tested will have the virus – while minimising the risk of infection, so it benefits everyone all round.
“I appreciate it may be daunting for neighbours and family members to see our staff in their neighbourhood in protective clothing, but there really is no need to be concerned. This is simply a precautionary measure that is in line with standard infection control procedures and we very much appreciate the support and co-operation of our communities.”
Anyone who has visited an affected area – visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus for an up-to-date list – and has a fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of returning is advised to phone their GP or NHS 24 on 111 immediately. They should not go to their GP practice or other healthcare setting in person.
Gabe concluded: “It’s crucial that people follow the most up-to-date healthcare advice, which can be found on the NHS Inform website. We’ve also created a dedicated section on the NHS Lanarkshire website, with links to lots of official information and advice, and are sharing information through our social media channels.
“By working together, following healthcare advice and putting our new community testing in place, we can all play our part in doing what we can to protect ourselves from coronavirus (COVID-19).”
For further information, visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus or www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
You can find out more about community testing in our Q&A below:
Q. How do I access community testing for coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A. If you have reason to believe you could have coronavirus (COVID-19), you should stay at home, self-isolate and contact your GP or NHS 24 (111) by phone. Do not attend your GP practice or other healthcare setting in person.
Q. Can I not just pop along to your community testing facility at Law House or arrange a testing appointment?
A. No. If you have reason to believe you could have coronavirus (COVID-19), you should stay at home, self-isolate and contact your GP or NHS 24 (111) by phone. Do not attend your GP practice or other healthcare setting in person. Following a telephone screening assessment, you will then be advised whether you will be tested or not and given an appointment to attend our community testing facility at Law Hospital or for a home visit from the team. Only those referred via their GP or NHS24 will be tested.
Q. How long will it take to be tested?
A. Samples will be taken, usually within 24 hours, either by the home community testing team or at our fixed community testing facility at Law Hospital. If you are told you will be tested, you should self-isolate and ensure only those who live with you are allowed in your home. Do not invite or allow visitors – including extended family members – in to your home.
Q. What does the test involve?
A. The test involves a throat swab and a separate nose swab. The samples taken by the community testing team are sent to the lab for analysis.
Q. How long will it take for my test results to come back?
A. At the moment, it’s taking up to 72 hours for test results to come back.
Q. What do I do until my test results come back?
A. You must follow the health advice you have been given by your healthcare professional or GP. You should stay at home; refrain from going to work, school or public areas; and avoid public transport or taxis.
Do not invite or allow visitors – including extended family members – in to your home. Only those who live with you in your home should be allowed to stay and you must follow the advice given by your healthcare professional or GP.
Q. Why do the testing team need to wear gowns, masks and visors?
A. This is in line with national guidance regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). It’s purely a precautionary measure to minimise the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) to our staff while coming into contact and testing possible cases. The PPE used by our staff fully conforms with national guidance.
Q. Should they not be wearing protective footwear too?
A. No. The PPE used by our staff fully conforms with national guidance.
Q. Why doesn’t the community testing driver wear PPE?
A. There is no interaction between our community testing drivers and patients, therefore they don’t come into contact with any possible cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and don’t require PPE. The testing team are responsible for putting on, removing and disposing of their PPE in line with national guidance, and the driver has no contact with these materials.
Q. Who can I contact for further information?
A. If you have reason to believe you could have coronavirus (COVID-19), you should stay at home, self-isolate and contact your GP or NHS 24 (111) by phone. Do not attend your GP practice or other healthcare setting in person. If you do not have symptoms and are looking for general information, a free helpline has been set up on 0800 028 2816. The helpline is open:
• Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 10.00pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
You can also visit www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/coronavirus for links to official information and advice.
