The Coronavirus National Testing Programme has now expanded capacity to test other frontline workers who are having to self-isolate due to having coronavirus-like symptoms or because a member of their household has symptoms.
This expansion includes all personal care assistants (PAs), across both health and social care, who meet the criteria.
More detailed information on the types of workers who may now be eligible for testing can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-get-tested
Any of your PAs who think they are eligible and need to be tested are being instructed to speak to you as their employer first. If your PA is eligible for testing, you, as the employer, will need to complete the ‘Confirmation of employment and eligibility for testing- letter of ID’, as can be found on page four of the invitation (Covid 19- invitation for testing) and forward this, along with the accompanying PowerPoint, to your PA. Your PA will then be able to register themselves for a test at the link provided within the invitation.
Further information on this process is provided within this PowerPoint: Covid 19- Testing for personal care assistants
If you have any queries on this process, please contact the Department of Health and Social Care on opshub@dhsc.gov.uk.
Please note: PAs need to be able to drive and have access to a car or have a member of their household who can drive them to the test centre.
22nd April 2020