This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Health Business 22.01
Is free access to Covid-19 tests about to stop?
Nearly eight in 10 NHS leaders want the public to continue to have free access to Covid-19 tests, with nine in 10 wanting free access for key workers to continue.
This is according to a new poll from the NHS Confederation, which is calling on the government to take a cautious and evidence-based approach to exiting the pandemic so that the NHS can continue to meet the full healthcare needs of the population.
The government’s ‘Living with Covid-19’ strategy is expected to bring an end to free lateral flow tests for millions of people, as well as an end to mandatory self-isolation for anyone with a positive result from as early as next month. This is as both hospital admissions and deaths linked to the virus continue to fall nationally, thanks in large part to the success of the vaccine roll out.
However, nearly eight in ten of the more than 300 senior NHS leaders responding to the poll strongly disagreed or disagreed with the plan to stop free access to Covid-19 tests for the public, with 94 per cent feeling the same about NHS staff and other key workers.
There is no doubt that returning to normality must continue to be assessed and progressed, but concerns from within our NHS system should be heard before rash decisions are made.
Michael Lyons, editor
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
