New drive-through testing on offer to diagnose vital staff

Hope is that healthy workers can return to jobs rather than staying at home

Frontline healthcare workers in Fife are to be among the first in the country guaranteed coronavirus tests thanks to a new drive-through testing programme.

A select group of health and social care staff is now being given the chance to be swabbed and tested quickly in the hope they can then return to work.

A number have had to self-isolate for 14 days if a member of their household displayed symptoms of coronavirus, or seven if they showed symptoms themselves.

The drive-through programme at Cameron Hospital near Windygates has started to test prioritised workers and their immediate household contacts.

It is only available to people who are 72 hours into the onset of a new continuous cough and/or temperature in excess of 37.8°.

Those tested will be instructed to stay in their cars at all times and only open windows in response to a health care worker wearing personal protective equipment.

The test itself comprises a single

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By testing those priority staff, we will be enabling many to return to work to support their colleagues. DONA MILNE, NHS FIFE

swab inserted into the throat then the nose. This is then taken to NHS Fife’s laboratories at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, with the result known the next working day.

Hospitalised patients will continue to be prioritised for testing.

If the result is positive for a staff member or their household contact, they must remain off work for seven days post-onset of symptoms, after which they can return to work if they have remained fever-free for 48 hours.

Should the result be negative, the staff member will be risk assessed by occupational health and in most cases, will be permitted to return to work.

The programme will expand to include testing of critical social care staff in Fife from next week.

NHS Fife’s director of public health, Dona Milne, said: “The dedication shown by our staff over recent weeks has been second-to-none and for those having to self-isolate, this been a source of some frustration.

“By testing those priority staff, we will be enabling many to return to work to support their colleagues in doing what we know they do best – providing the best possible care to the people of Fife.”

Prioritised staff will be contacted and advised of their appointment time.

If several members of a family have symptoms, only the household member with the most recent date of onset and/ or most clear-cut symptoms will be prioritised.

NHS staff at the new drive-through testing facility at Cameron Hospital, which it is hoped will offer a speedy coronavirus diagnosis or give the vital workers a clean bill of health.