New drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff

The government is working with dozens of universities and companies across the UK to significantly scale up testing and ensure coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff.

With British universities, research institutes and companies lending their testing equipment to three new hub laboratories, the government has reassured the public that all current coronavirus testing and research will continue, including at existing local NHS and Public Health England test laboratories, with the new programme adding significant new capacity.

This new service, which will be free, will help end the uncertainty of whether NHS staff need to stay at home. Those who test negative for coronavirus will be able to return to work - enhancing the capacity of the NHS and social care to treat patients and care for those in community settings, with plans for a full roll-out for health, social care and other frontline workers.

The first samples to be processed in the labs will be taken from frontline health workers. As the labs’ capacity increases, other frontline workers will be tested. The samples will be taken at special sites set up around the country, initially in coronavirus hotspots such as London.

Work is also underway to source more of the kits needed to take samples from people - of which there is a worldwide shortage.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We want to save lives, protect the most vulnerable, and relieve pressure on our NHS. Healthcare staff are key in our fight against the virus and I want to ensure that any frontline NHS or care worker who has symptoms of coronavirus or who has a family member with symptoms can be tested quickly and reliably. I pay tribute to the generosity and public spirit of Britain’s universities, research institutes and companies who have lent us their equipment without hesitation.”