Overview - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for staff



506065400022291547300 Antibody testing for care home, social care and domiciliary care staff (August 2020)OverviewAn antibody testing programme to determine whether people have had COVID-19 is being made available to all care home, social care and domiciliary care staff working in Mid and South Essex and West Essex This is a voluntary test and is not mandatory for anyone.Background: Mobile testing service for care home staffLaunch date: Monday 24th August 2020 We are working with Commisceo who will be grouping care homes into localities and contacting care homes directly with details of the arrangements, dates and timings for staff antibody testing (phlebotomy) to be carried out at the care home site. Staff will need to register and make an appointment to have the antibody test. This is a voluntary test and is not mandatory for munity hub testing service for social care and domiciliary care staffLaunch date: Tuesday 1st September 2020 (booking will not be possible before Thursday 27th August 2020)We are working with Commisceo and Provide to set up and run community clinics where social care and domiciliary care staff will be able to have an antibody test. (Staff from care homes will also be able to access testing at the community hubs if they are unable to attend their place of work for a test).Community clinic locations:St Michael’s Hospital, Rayne Road, Braintree CM7 2QUBrentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, Shenfield, Brentwood CM15 8DRCentral Surgery, First Floor North Road Primary Care Centre 183-195 North Road, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7AFSt Margaret’s Hospital, The Plain, Epping CM16 6TNTimescales:Antibody testing for care home staff Launch date: Monday 24th August 2020 Duration: 8 weeksAntibody testing for social care and domiciliary care staff Launch date: Tuesday 1st September 2020 (booking will not be possible before Thursday 27th August 2020)Duration: 8 weeksWhat we are asking you to doPlease cascade the information and promote the offer of antibody testing to the staff of care homes and those working in social care and domiciliary care.Copy of pre-launch email to care homes and social care/domiciliary care providers:Coronavirus (Covid-19) antibody testing for care home, social care and domicilary care staff in Mid and South Essex and West EssexDear ManagerWe would like to ensure that you are aware that staff are now being offered the opportunity to have a COVID-19 antibody test. The antibody tests are being provided free of charge by the NHS to staff whether they have had symptoms or not.What the outcome of the antibody test means for you The antibody test is a voluntary blood test which involves taking blood from the arm and determines whether you have had Coronavirus. Antibody tests differ to swab tests, which test to see if you currently have the virus. It is important to note a positive test result for antibodies only means that someone has had Coronavirus. Positive results?will be shared with?Public Health England?to help understand how the disease spreads and where it has been present in different regions of the country.There is currently no evidence to show that someone cannot be re-infected with the virus, or pass it on to others, or have protective immunity. This means anyone with a positive antibody test will need to continue following government guidelines, such as social distancing and using personal protective equipment. Antibody testing for care home staff – launch date Monday 24th August 2020The provider Commisceo will be in contact with all care/ residential and nursing homes to arrange a date to visit each home and set-up antibody testing on site for all staff that want to have it. Managers will need to inform their staff of the designated date and time of the antibody testing session at their care home and have a list where staff can register to book an appointment. This is a voluntary test and is not mandatory for anyone. Antibody testing for social care and domiciliary care staff – launch date Tuesday 1st September 2020 (booking will not be possible before Thursday 27th August 2020)Plans are being made for social care and domiciliary care staff who want to have an antibody test. Community clinics will be set-up for these staff groups to attend and we will update you once these plans have been finalised. Staff from care homes who are not able to attend their place of work for a test may also be able to have a test at a community clinic once they are established. Staff will need to register and book an appointment.Please be assured we will send further information by email in the next few days which will include details of how staff can to book an antibody test, sample copies of consent forms and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet.Antibody testing for social care staff: assetsKey Documents for care homes and domiciliary care providersAntibody testing booking instructions (care home staff – mobile service that will visit care homes)Please make available to staff and upload on staff intranetAntibody testing booking instructions (social and domiciliary care staff – test centres in community hubs)Please make available to staff and upload on staff intranetSample antibody testing care home staff booking formPlease make the form you receive from Commisceo available in your staff areaSample consent formPlease make available to staff and upload on staff intranetCommunication Materials FAQsPlease make available to staff and upload on staff intranetPostersPlease display in your staff areasStaff intranet web bannerStaff intranet contentPlease use the wording below for your staff intranet pages: INTRANET ARTICLE FOR CARE HOMES – please post on your staff intranet from Monday 24th August 2020Coronavirus (Covid-19) antibody testing for staffStaff are now being offered the opportunity to have an antibody test. The antibody tests are being provided free of charge by the NHS to staff whether they have had symptoms or not.What the outcome of the antibody test means for you The antibody test is a voluntary blood test which involves taking blood from the arm and determines whether you have had Coronavirus. Antibody tests differ to swab tests, which test to see if you currently have the virus. It is important to note a positive test result for antibodies only means that someone has had Coronavirus. Positive results?will be shared with?Public Health England?to help understand how the disease spreads and where it has been present in different regions of the country.There is currently no evidence to show that someone cannot be re-infected with the virus, or pass it on to others, or have protective immunity. This means anyone with a positive antibody test will need to continue following government guidelines, such as social distancing and using personal protective equipment. Antibody testing in care homesCommisceo, who are carrying out the antibody testing in care homes, are arranging dates to visit care homes and set up antibody testing on site for all staff who want to have one. You will need to register and make an appointment to have a test. Your manager will have details of the antibody testing date/dates and times at your care home. A list will be available at your care home where you can add your details to register and book an appointment.This offer of an antibody test is only available to you as a care home worker – it is not open to family members, friends, care home residents or their relatives etc. You will need to show your ID card to have a test.Test resultsThe result will be delivered by text message if you have given us a mobile number. If you do not have a mobile telephone we will discuss other options for getting your result with you. It may take up to a week for your result to be communicated to you.Please DO NOT telephone the lab for your result. *If you are not able to attend your place of work for a test may also be able to have a test at a community hub. Please contact westessexantibody.support@ or for detailsMore information, including answers to frequently asked questions can be found here further assistance email westessexantibody.support@ or ENDSINTRANET ARTICLE FOR SOCIAL CARE AND DOMICILIARY CARE PROVIDERS – please post on your staff intranet from Thursday 27th August 2020. The first available date for appointments is Tuesday 1st September 2020Coronavirus (Covid-19) antibody testing for staffStaff are now being offered the opportunity to have an antibody test. The antibody tests are being provided free of charge by the NHS to staff whether they have had symptoms or not.What the outcome of the antibody test means for you The antibody test is a voluntary blood test which involves taking blood from the arm and determines whether you have had Coronavirus. Antibody tests differ to swab tests, which test to see if you currently have the virus. It is important to note a positive test result for antibodies only means that someone has had Coronavirus. Positive results?will be shared with?Public Health England?to help understand how the disease spreads and where it has been present in different regions of the country.There is currently no evidence to show that someone cannot be re-infected with the virus, or pass it on to others, or have protective immunity. This means anyone with a positive antibody test will need to continue following government guidelines, such as social distancing and using personal protective equipment. Antibody testing for social care and domiciliary care workersSocial care and domiciliary care staff will be able to have an antibody test at community hubs. You will need to go to the Shift Partner website to book a testMid and South Essex testing sites: Michael’s Hospital, Rayne Road, Braintree CM7 2QUBrentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, Shenfield, Brentwood CM15 8DRCentral Surgery, First Floor North Road Primary Care Centre 183-195 North Road, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7AFWest Essex testing site: Margaret’s Hospital, The Plain, Epping CM16 6TNClick on Create Account to register your details which will enable you to book a test.If you need to cancel your appointment, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance to allow your appointment slot to be given to someone else. Sign in to your Shift Partner account to cancel the appointment.This offer of an antibody test is only available to you as a care home, social care or domiciliary care worker – it is not open to family members, friends, care home residents or their relatives etc. You will need to show your ID card or proof of your employment base (a letter on headed paper from your manager or your wage slip) when you have your test. You must also take a face mask.Test resultsThe result will be delivered by text message if you have given us a mobile number. If you do not have a mobile telephone we will discuss other options for getting your result with you. It may take up to a week for your result to be communicated to you.Please DO NOT telephone the lab for your result. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions can be found here further assistance: Mid and South Essex staff workplace.testing@West Essex staff HYPERLINK "mailto:westessexantibody.support@" westessexantibody.support@ ENDS ................
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