More tests for social care staff desperately needed, says NHS Confederation

Responding to the government’s promise of more tests in the care sector, Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said:

“The offer of more tests for social care staff is desperately needed as this sector has been suffering in silence during this pandemic. But it comes as health leaders across primary, community and mental health services are continuing to experience difficulties with getting their staff the tests they need to get back to work despite similar promises being made by Government.

“Things are improving but the country’s testing capacity is far from where it needs to be to meet the ambition of 100,000 a day in just over two weeks – that’s over 85,000 more tests a day than what is happening now.

“We need absolute clarity from the Government on how this will be achieved in such a short space of time otherwise it will be viewed as a false promise.

“Also, if we are to understand and beat this virus we need to understand how and where it is spreading, and for the frontline to be protected. That is why the number of deaths in care homes should be released daily in the same way as they are for hospital deaths and why the workforce must be given better access to PPE.”