Testing for hospice staff and patients
PATIENTS and staff at hospices across England will receive regular coronavirus testing from today.
Covid- 19 testing chief Neil Ashworth said the breakthrough would allow all patients to be tested on or before being admitted. Staff will be tested weekly.
In a letter sent to 200 hospices, Mr Ashworth said: “I know how vital it is you have access to regular asymptomatic testing of staff and patients to keep the risk of infection as low as possible.”
Last night’s announcement was the latest victory for the crusading Daily Express which last month secured a major victory for hospice funding after the sector was promised an extra £ 125million this winter.
Hospice UK chief executive Tracey Bleakley said: “As we leave lockdown and head into the winter months, services will be under continued pressure. Access to rapid testing will ensure that vital end- of- life care services are disrupted as little as possible, limit the risk of infection to all and will keep essential services going.”