New website for care homes to arrange coronavirus testing
The government has launched a new website for care homes in England to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits.
In order to apply via the online portal, you need to be the care home manager who’s registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
According to the government, you can also apply if you’re a local director of public health or one of their representatives.
Applicants will need the care home’s CQC registration number, total number of residents, including number of residents with coronavirus symptoms, the total number of staff, including agency staff and contact details.
‘This new portal allows those who book tests for staff and residents to do so even more easily, and it also offers a route for the prioritisation of care homes with the greatest need,’ said health secretary, Matt Hancock.
‘We will continue to grow our testing capacity, as we know the certainty and confidence that high quality testing can provide.’
Yesterday (11 May), the government also published its ‘roadmap’ out of the current coronavirus lockdown.
The document notes that while still too high, the ‘daily number of deaths of people in care homes in England has been falling for the past fortnight’.
It also states that by 6 June, every care home for the over 65-year olds will have been offered testing for residents and staff.
It adds the government is supporting care homes with ‘extensive guidance, both online and by phone, on how to prevent and control COVID-19 outbreaks’.
‘This includes detailed instructions on how to deep clean effectively after outbreaks and how to enhance regular cleaning practices,’ the document states.
‘The NHS has committed to providing a named contact to help ‘train the trainers’ for every care home that wants it by 15 May.
‘The government expects all care homes to restrict all routine and non-essential healthcare visits and reduce staff movement between homes, in order to limit the risk of further infection.’
Photo Credit – Jarmoluk (Pixabay)
