The Government’s National Coronavirus Testing Programme has now expanded capacity to test other frontline workers, including all personal care assistants (PAs) who are having to self-isolate due to having coronavirus-like symptoms or because a member of their household has symptoms.
View National Guidance on Testing
Eligibility for testing
· PA’s self-isolating because they have COVID-19 symptoms
In this instance, only they will be eligible for a COVID-19 test. No other members of their household are eligible.
· PA self-isolating because a person in their household is symptomatic, but they are not (If you live with a PA this may be you).
In this instance, the household member (adults and children aged 5 and over) is eligible to have a test for COVID-19. Your PA’s name will be noted but they do not need to have a test.
· Self-isolating for other reasons
If they are self-isolating for other reasons and are not symptomatic, they will not be eligible to be tested.
To check if you have COVID-19 symptoms, go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Symptomatic people should be swabbed as soon as possible within 5 days of developing symptoms.
To apply for a test referral please follow this link to the Community Swabbing Service
Testing is by appointment only – please do not attend a testing centre unless you have completed the test referral form and had an appointment confirmed.
How it works
Your PA will receive a phone call to arrange their test. This will normally be within a day or so of submitting the application. They will be provided with all the details they need to attend for testing as part of that call.
The tests are ‘drive-through’, meaning a car is needed to attend. More information is provided in the test referral application form. If they don’t have access to a car the Community Swabbing Service will do their best to help them access transport for their appointment. However, their ability to help is limited.
More information is available in the test referral form but if you have any further questions please contact the Community Swabbing Service by emailing swabbingservice@sheffield.gov.uk .
