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Lateral Flow Testing Update and Replenishment Kits

LFT Testing

Thank you to the 5,000 people who took part in the Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) programme over the last three months. Between all of us we have completed over 36,000 tests and 411 of these people taking the tests were asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19.

By completing these tests, you have helped protect your family, patients and colleagues from Coronavirus by early detection in asymptomatic cases. The LFT identifies an early high viral load and in most people detected the virus two or three days before symptoms developed. The data gathered from these tests will help enormously in the fight against COVID-19.

It is likely that LFT testing will continue for some time and it is important that we continue testing for asymptomatic COVID as the vaccination will not protect all of us from catching COVID-19 but will reduce the severity of symptoms.

The Trust is encouraging all staff to engage in undertaking lateral flow tests on a regular basis to help reduce the spread of infection.

These kits will give you the opportunity to self-test yourself for COVID-19 and get the results in 30 minutes.
The programme involves testing yourself twice a week for COVID-19 using a simple, painless technique. Please follow the link below to watch a video link on how to take a test.
COVID-19 self-swab for healthcare staff (learninghub.nhs.uk)

Once you have completed your Lateral Flow test it is essential that you report the test results (positive, negative or void) as this is a statutory requirement.

A new distribution of LFT kits will be arriving on main depots and will be available through your LFT local leads who will assist you in obtaining a new kit or replacement kit from 15th February 2021. This is open to all the Trust and will be distributed through main hub stations.

If you have any issues obtaining a kit please speak to your management team who will assist.

Juliet Beal    
Director of Nursing, Clinical Quality and Improvement

Teresa Church
Regional COVID 19 Lead

 

Published 8th February 2021