LAMP testing in Norfolk

Please do not miss this exciting opportunity to be part of LAMP Testing in Norfolk. LAMP stands for ‘Loop-mediated isothermal amplification’ which, in plain language, is a highly accurate, fast and simple-to-use asymptomatic test to identify those staff with Covid-19 which helps to stop the spread of the virus.

LAMP test kits are supplied on station and is a once weekly saliva test, generally taken in the morning before travelling to work. All you need to do is spit 1ml of saliva into a container which has a barcode on it. You scan this code using an app - or you can input onto a desktop/laptop, if preferred. The sample is then dropped at your station or hospital at a drop-off point where the sample is collected and the results are returned to you from the lab by e-mail or text on the same day.

These tests are so accurate that a PCR is not required to confirm Covid-19 but health staff have been requested to continue this for genome sequencing purposes in order to understand the type and spread of the variants.

You may ask, why am I doing this now? NHS staff are at the forefront of fighting this virus and a third of us with Covid-19 do not display any symptoms and can infect people unknowingly. Please help us to identify positive cases more quickly and break chains of transmission by joining us in this trial.

You can express your interest by emailing EEASTCoordinationCentre@eastamb.nhs.uk. 

Want to know more about LAMP testing? Have a look at this video featuring EEAST's Chris Spears, EOC Duty Manager.

As LAMP testing develops, news of opportunities for your sector will be published. In the meantime, please continue with LFT asymptomatic testing.

LFT asymptomatic testing

If you have finished your LFT kit issued by the Trust and you require more, the Trust may be at the stage of no longer being able to supply these to you. If so, you can request that these be sent to you directly from the government to your home address. To order these kits, please click this link. Then follow the instructions and select ‘yes’ to the question 'Do you work for the NHS in England and take part in their staff testing programme?'

Staff using LFTs should continue to test themselves twice a week – every three or four days, to fit with shift patterns etc. Remember, it is a statutory duty that all test results must be reported, whether they are positive, negative or invalid/void.  This must happen every time an LFT is completed.

Whilst using kits supplied by the Trust, please continue to submit results via the QR code on the side of box. Once you have kits sent to you directly from the government, please start to submit your results on the government website here. 

Should you get a positive result, please ensure that you inform your line manager and email EEASTCovidLeads@eastamb.nhs.uk. It will be necessary for you to book yourself a PCR test to confirm the result.

Published 29th July 2021