Covid-19 - Training opportunity for PTS staff

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s) have been tasked with screening and testing members of the public who are either showing signs of COVID-19 or have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case. 

CCG’s are currently in the process of setting up testing ”pods”, along with “drive thru” and “home testing” services. Pods will be located at strategic areas across the country (mainly near to acute hospitals, for resourcing purposes).

If a member of the public feels concerned that they are showing signs and symptoms they should dial NHS111 who will do a verbal assessment of the patient, and if appropriate give them directions to their local service for testing. Where possible patients should make their own way, but they must travel without using public transport or taxi’s. If they are unable for various reasons, then the responsibility to provide transport lies with local ambulance service.

Currently PHE have declared COVID-Surge1, which means all transport will be delivered by the 999 emergency ambulance service. If the pace of spread in the UK continues, or increases, then PHE will declare COVID-Surge2. At COVID-Surge2 PTS will be instrumental in providing transport for these patients.

This is part of the national NHS response to the Covid-19 as the NHS pulls together to manage the current situation. 

PTS will be supporting a 24/7 transport service across all six counties of the Trust. This service will be a designated team comprising of transport personnel (ACA or PTD) whose key responsibility will be to transport suspected Covid-19 patients to a pod for testing, and then back home again for isolation. Currently confirmed Covid-19 cases are transport by HART.

Full training will be provided. If you would like to be in the first training cohort or have any questions, please email: trevor.hammond@eastamb.nhs.uk by 17:00 Tuesday 10th March.

Published 5th March 2020