Online service helps care homes arrange delivery of coronavirus tests
All care home staff and residents are now eligible for coronavirus testing, with priority for those in homes that look after the over-65s.
As the national testing capacity has increased, the Government is prioritising testing for care homes and other areas with the greatest need.
All symptomatic and asymptomatic care home staff and residents in England are now eligible for testing. Testing will be prioritised for care homes that look after the over-65s.
Access the online portal here
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said: “The additional testing capacity we have achieved delivers many thousands of tests a day for residents and staff in care homes. 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.
“We will continue to grow our testing capacity, as we know the certainty and confidence that high-quality testing can provide.”
Minister of State for Care Helen Whately said: “Care homes are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 and we are determined that staff have everything they need to keep themselves and their residents safe. Testing is a crucial part of this. It helps prevent and control outbreaks and means steps can be taken to reduce the spread the virus and protect the most vulnerable.”
Tens of thousands of care-home workers and residents have already been tested, either by Public Health England or at drive-through testing sites, mobile testing units and via satellite testing kits – packages of tests sent to care homes for staff to use on residents.
