Coronavirus testing on off work hospital staff to see if they are safe to return
CORONAVIRUS testing has started on staff at Nuneaton’s hospital - firstly to ensure those on the frontline who have been off ill are safe to return to work.
The George Eliot Hospital has confirmed it has started its programme of testing its workforce for the virus.
It’s initial focus is on frontline staff who are off work but fit to return, so that they can get back to the hospital safely and as quickly as possible.
These include those who work in the Intensive Care Unit (ITU), Accident and Emergency and medicine.
In a statement, David Eltringham, managing director at the ‘Eliot, explained: “We have begun a programme of staff testing at the Trust.
“The purpose of testing is to support staff who are off work but fit to return to come back safely and as quickly as possible.
“We are starting with frontline clinical staff in ITU, A&E and medicine who have symptomatic household members and/or are symptomatic themselves. “
He went on to add that itis important that households continue to stick to the stay-at-home advice.
“I want to thank the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth for complying with the government’s instruction to stay at home and protect their NHS£ he said.
“Please keep doing this for Team Eliot.”
The news comes as the ‘Eliot braces itself for a surge in the number of seriously ill patients needing help.
There are plans to increase the number of ventilators at the ‘Eliot five fold, so that the ITU has capacity for 42 patients.
Proposals also include using 64 sets of equipment to support patients with non-invasive ventilation.