Asymptomatic Testing for Personal Assistants Providing Care and Support to Children and Young People from 8th March
As part of the Scottish Government’s expanded testing programme, they are extending asymptomatic testing via twice weekly lateral flow testing to personal assistants who provide care and support for children and young people across Scotland.
Accessing tests and guidance
From Monday 8th March, personal assistants should first phone the PPE contact number 0300 303 3020, quoting name and profession (personal assistant) for validation. The contact centre will advise the best local PPE Hub to pick up the tests.
Before commencing twice weekly testing personal assistants must be familiar with the test and read the training material, watch a video, and answer six short multiple choice questions. They should also have a first supervised test by a competent person. The latter does not need to be a clinical person but someone who is familiar with the testing process.
If personal assistants are finding it difficult to secure a supervised first test, we suggest they speak to their employer/health and social care partnership who will be able to advise where they can attain a supervised first test. The supervised test can be carried out over video.
More information can be found on the following link. Scottish Government will also run a series of new workshops and they will publicise details of these.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-adult-care-at-home-testing-guidance/
Recording results
Scottish Government ask that results (positive and negative) are recorded on the following portal – this is critical for identifying positives but also for understanding prevalence across Scotland. They also ask that care is taken when filling in personal details but also that people select “personal assistant” in the occupation drop down category. www.covidtestingportal.scot
Scottish Government also ask that after a positive lateral flow test – the person isolates, informs their employer and books a confirmatory PCR test through the following link Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – personal assistants can indicate they are a social care worker. Following a positive PCR test staff do not need to take part in weekly testing for 90 days if they remain symptom free as it is very likely that fragments of the virus will remain despite no longer being infectious.
For more information contact
Christine McGregor
Pandemic Response – Adult Social Care
Directorate for Social Care and Mental Health
Christine.mcgregor@gov.scot
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