
You will need to login to the system prior to submitting your results. You need to use your Trust email address and the same password you use to login to your Trust computer.
*Please note, Forensics staff will need to use their username ie. bloggj@nottshc.nhs.uk not their email address joe.bolggs@nottshs.nhs.uk.
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You may not need to take regular lateral flow tests due to annual leave, long term absence including maternity / paternity leave or if you are 'post COVID'. If this applies to you please submit your reason for being excluded using the link below.
This video provided by the NHS Learning Hub does show how to use the kit correctly however; we have localised our own procedure. Please refer to Staff Training Guide Lateral Flow Kits [pdf] 564KB for the Nottinghamshire Healthcare procedure.
Evidence has shown that people infected with COVID-19 can have no symptoms and still transmit the virus to others without being aware. It is important that we take steps to reduce the risk of transmission by identifying those who may not know they have the virus and therefore staff without symptoms will be tested.
This programme is a part of the Government testing strategy to provide regular testing for NHS staff. Having this test is one of the ways you can help to protect yourself, colleagues and patients.
The test is widely known as the Lateral Flow Test. This is an Innova SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test which uses a swab which has been in contact with the nostril of the person being tested.
Staff should test themselves twice weekly every 3 to 4 days to fit with shift patterns and leave requirements: for example, Wednesday and Sunday, or Monday and Thursday.
The testing kits will arrive in boxes containing 7 test kits. This is expected to last for just over 3 week.
We are taking a phased approach to the programme rollout and, in the first instance, will be inviting all staff identified as being patient facing as part of the flu programme. Once the programme is underway, testing for other services not identified in the initial phase will be considered and, where necessary, plans will be put in place to support this.
If you are participating in research studies where the frequency of testing is not weekly (e.g. monthly) they should undertake twice-weekly lateral flow self-testing. For example, staff members participating in the SIREN study and having PCR swab testing every two weeks should also be part of the twice-weekly lateral flow testing if they are a patient-facing member of staff.
No, lateral flow tests are for staff members only. PCR swab tests should continue to be used for patients.
No, these kits are only for individual Nottinghamshire Healthcare staff members. Family members who have symptoms should access tests in the normal way by contacting COVID19Testing@nottshc.nhs.uk.
If you are feeling anxious about having a test you can speak to your manager for some reassurance, guidance and support. If you are in a patient facing role where the impact of spreading the virus to vulnerable patients could have significant adverse outcomes for them, then you will be expected to undertake a test. This will provide our patients with the reassurance that they are attending a part of our organisation that is free from COVID-19 and enable them to access their treatment.
Staff should undertake routine lateral flow testing, even if this is within 90 days of the positive Covid-19 test result.
If staff have a positive lateral flow test result within 90 days of a prior positive test, they should start a new period of self-isolation unless a clinical or risk assessment suggests that a re-infection is unlikely. This risk assessment should inform subsequent action including whether isolation is required.
This test uses a self-taken sample by swab of your nose, and can give results within thirty minutes, and without the need to be sent to a laboratory to be analysed. The whole test can be carried out at home, and you will know your results straight away.
Staff will be provided with an instruction leaflet and a training guide and swabbing training demonstration is available from CONNECT. On receipt of the testing pack please disregard the instruction leaflet and use the one issued from the Trust.
We are recommending the swab is used and the sample taken in a different way to the instructions for use, with more rotation of the swab at a lower level of penetration, to enable easier self-administration of the test. This is based on advice from experts. The manufacturer has been informed of the planned use of the tests for self-administered asymptomatic staff testing within the NHS and trusts have been asked to provide a local support package (as referenced above).
Tests should be stored at room temperature, kept out of direct sunlight and not be exposed to heat. Please keep the box out of reach of pets and small children.
Staff can safely dispose of the test items in their normal household waste but should pour any residual buffer solution away first.
Results should be read within 30 minutes. Feedback from pilot areas report that POSITIVE results may be reported in error if the test is read after 30 minutes, so it is important that you keep an eye on your timings.
The test is very simple to read, and you will return one of the following:
If your Lateral Flow Test result is negative, you can continue to work. You will need to record your result (as outlined in the recording section of the FAQ)
If you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms please self-isolate as per the current Government guidelines and contact COVID19Testing@nottshc.nhs.uk to arrange for the PCR (swab) test.
Staff should inform their line manager of a positive lateral flow result as per the current Trust reporting processes. You and your household should isolate as set out in government guidance and you should contact COVID19Testing@nottshc.nhs.uk to arrange for a PCR (swab) test.
If your result is INVALID, then you should carry out a further test.
You will be notified of the arrangements for you to access your PCR (swab) test following a positive lateral flow test. These arrangements assume that staff may be infected with Covid-19 and therefore suitable IPC and PPE will be in place. Staff should continue to isolate until they have the results of the PCR (swab) test.
The Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality and the Infection Prevention Team will be managing any outbreaks and advising on any additional testing that may be required so you will be contacted if this occurs in your area. Patient confidentiality applies to all staff members who have been tested for Covid-19.
Once you have undertaken a test, you must report their results via the link provided https://covidtesting-nottshealthcare.msappproxy.net/
For those staff that are unable to use the online results form, they can either:
All staff results must be registered. If you or your staff need any advice or support, please contact the team using the email address or number above.
The results across the testing programme will provide information on the prevalence of COVID-19 across Nottinghamshire Healthcare services. As a Trust we are required to report back on the number of staff eligible for testing, numbers tested and the levels of positive and negative results but the information provided will not include personal details or be identifiable in any other way.
Anyone that uses nasal, topical products, including medicines does as follows:
At the point the confirmatory PCR test result is known, and this is positive, test results will, as normal, be referred to Test and Trace.
Government self-isolation advice should be followed at all times. This test does not remove the need to self-isolate should you need to.
Should an outbreak be declared in the organisation, testing regimes will be discussed in line with our normal outbreak response and, where necessary, advice will be obtained from Public Health England (PHE) colleagues.
Please contact the Nottinghamshire Healthcare Staff Testing Team via COVID19Testing@nottshc.nhs.uk, telephone 0115 955 5472 or internally via extension 10150.
You must now order your own lateral flow testing kits directly as the Trust has no stock left and is not able to order more. You can order your kits from the national supply here: ordering a box online.
Any test kits ordered via this site will be delivered to your home address. Please note that the website does not seem to work well in Internet Explorer, so please use Edge or Chrome to access the link.
We’re asking that you continue to test twice weekly and record your result using the Trust system. Please ensure you use our system, not the national system. You can use one of the following methods:
It is not possible to supply the bottles of solution on their own. If you have spilt one of your bottles of solution, please continue to use your kit until you run out of solution in the other bottle.
When you are about to run out, order more kits from the national supply here: ordering a box online.
Staff may continue to swab whilst on annual leave for longer than a week, but it is not a requirement.
Yes. The advice from NHSE/I is that you should continue to test even though you have had the vaccine.
Forensics staff will need to use their username i.e. bloggj@nottshc.nhs.uk not their email address joe.bolggs@nottshs.nhs.uk.