The government has published updated guidance on how personal assistants ( PAs ) working in adult social care in England can access twice weekly Covid-19 testing.
Personal assistants will be eligible for testing if they provide care that requires them to come within 2 metres of an adult over the age of 18 who they support.
Rapid lateral flow tests (LFT) are available for home delivery, for collection at participating pharmacies and local sites, or individuals can be tested at local asymptomatic test sites. PAs should access these tests through any of these routes and test twice weekly (every 3-4 days), as close as possible to starting work.
Full details of participating pharmacies and asymptomatic test sites are on Sheffield City Council’s Website.
Summary of Online Ordering and Testing
- Personal assistants should order a box of 7 lateral flow tests (LFTs) every 21 days for themselves, or an employer can order test kits on their behalf.
- Seven tests are delivered for each personal assistant to their selected delivery address for a 21 day testing cycle.
- A personal assistant should take a test twice a week and register them online. All results must be registered whether negative, positive or void
- Personal assistants will receive their results within 30 minutes of conducting the test.
- If a personal assistant receives a positive LFT result they should order and conduct a confirmatory polymarase chain reaction (PCR) Coronavirus test immediately, isolate until they receive a result, and notify their employer.
- Personal assistants should repeat LFT testing cycling twice each week.
Guidance on how to order the Coronavirus Rapid Lateral Flow Tests is available here.
Watch a Video on How to Do a Covid Self Test
If you cannot order online or if have any queries please call the national Coronavirus contact centre on 119.Lines are open 7am to 11pm and calls are free.
More information on eligibility and the process of ordering and registering your tests is available here
Webinars
You can register for a webinar to talk you through the process for personal assistant testing. The webinar includes a live Q&A with the personal assistant team, who will be happy to answer your questions
Book your place or view a previous recorded webinar
How to Get a Coronavirus Test if you have Symptoms
You can get tested at a testing site if you have symptoms of Coronavirus or order a home test kit. Book online or call 119. When you book your Coronavirus test, you’ll get a date and time to attend a specific test centre. Please check the details carefully as if you arrive at the wrong test centre, date or time, you will be turned away. Full details are on Sheffield City Council’s Website
View National Guidance on Testing
You can find this information and lots more on our Coronavirus Information and Support Page on Disability Sheffield’s website.
